Piezoelectric thin film element

ABSTRACT

A piezoelectric thin film element that includes a substrate, a lower electrode on the substrate, a piezoelectric film on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric film. The piezoelectric film is a potassium sodium niobate film represented, as its main constituent, by the general formula (1−n)(K 1-x Na x )Nb y O 3 -nM1M2O 3  in which M1 is any one of Ca, Sr, and Ba, and M2 is Zr, and x, y, and n respectively are within the ranges of: 0.25≦x≦1.00; 0.85≦y≦1.10; and 0.01≦n≦0.10. Alternatively, M2 is any one of Sn and Hf, and x, y, and n respectively are within the ranges of: 0.25≦x≦1.00; 0.90≦y≦1.05; and 0.01≦n≦0.10.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of International application No. PCT/JP2012/059561, filed Apr. 6, 2012, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-090566, filed Apr. 6, 2011, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-264342, filed Dec. 2, 2011, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a piezoelectric thin film element for use in an actuator, a sensor or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Piezoelectric bodies are now widely used as materials for functional electronic components such as actuators and sensors. As piezoelectric materials for use in these applications, perovskite-type ferroelectric materials are mainly used which are represented by the general formula Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ referred to as PZT. However, the PZT, which contains harmful Pb (lead), is thus an unfavorable material for protecting the natural environment.

Therefore, various non-lead piezoelectric materials have been now actively researched and developed. One of the non-lead piezoelectric materials is a perovskite-type ferroelectric material represented by the general formula (K,Na)NbO₃, which is referred to as KNN. KNN (potassium sodium niobate) has been attracting massive attention because of having piezoelectric characteristics comparable to PZT.

For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by (K_(1-x)Na_(x))NbO₃ (0≦x≦1), which is created by a sputtering method. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a high piezoelectric constant which can be achieved by creating a potassium sodium niobate (KNN) thin film with an average crystal grain size of from 0.1 μm to 1.0 μm and the crystal grains elongated in the substrate thickness direction.

In addition, Non-Patent Document 1 proposes a stoichiometric K_(0.5)Na_(0.5)NbO₃ thin film and a thin film of the composition with K and Na each 10 mol % excessively added thereto, which are created by a chemical solution deposition (CSD) method. Further, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses improvements in leakage current characteristics, which are observed by 10 mol % excessively adding each of K and Na.

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.     2008-159807 -   Non-Patent Document 1: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 49,     2010, 095805

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the conventional potassium sodium niobate thin films have a problem that while the leakage current is adequately low from 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁶ A/cm² in an applied electric field of 100 kV/cm, the leakage current is rapidly increased when the electric field exceeds 100 kV/cm, and is 10⁻² A/cm² or more in an applied electric field of 200 kV/cm. Therefore, there has been no potassium sodium niobate thin film that is excellent in both leakage current characteristics and piezoelectric characteristics. For example, the thin film of the composition (K_(1-x)Na_(x))NbO₃ (0<x<1) in Patent Document 1 has sintering-resistant potassium sodium niobate, and thus has unfavorable leakage current characteristics. Specifically, the leakage current is 10⁻¹ A/cm² with the application of electric field of 200 kV/cm. Furthermore, although a ferroelectric hysteresis curve is determined, favorable ferroelectric characteristics have not been achieved.

Moreover, in the case of the potassium sodium niobate thin film of the composition with K and Na each 10 mol % excessively added thereto in Non-Patent Document 1, the leakage current is approximately 10⁻² A/cm² in an applied electric field of 200 kV/cm.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a piezoelectric thin film element that has excellent electrical characteristics, in particular, excellent leakage current characteristics, ferroelectric characteristics, and piezoelectric characteristics.

An aspect of the invention is a piezoelectric thin film element including an electrode and a piezoelectric thin film, wherein the piezoelectric thin film is a potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nBaZrO₃, and the x, y, and n respectively fall within the ranges of: 0.25≦x≦0.75; 0.85≦y≦1.10; and 0.01≦n≦0.10.

Further, an aspect of the invention is a piezoelectric thin film element including an electrode and a piezoelectric thin film, wherein the piezoelectric thin film is a potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nBaSnO₃, and the x, y, and n respectively fall within the ranges of: 0.25≦x≦0.75; 0.90≦y≦1.05; and 0.01≦n≦0.10.

Further, an aspect of the invention is a piezoelectric thin film element including an electrode and a piezoelectric thin film, wherein the piezoelectric thin film is a potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by, as its main constituent, the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nM1M2O₃ in which M1 is any one of Ca, Sr, and Ba, and M2 is Zr, and the x, y, and n respectively fall within the ranges of: 0.25≦x≦1.00; 0.85≦y≦1.10; and 0.01≦n≦0.10.

Further, an aspect of the invention is a piezoelectric thin film element including an electrode and a piezoelectric thin film, wherein the piezoelectric thin film is a potassium sodium niobate thin film represented, as its main constituent, by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nM1M2O₃ in which M1 is any one of Ca, Sr, and Ba, and M2 is any one of Sn and Hf, and the x, y, and n respectively fall within the ranges of: 0.25≦x≦1.00; 0.90≦y≦1.05; and 0.01≦n≦0.10.

In this case, the potassium sodium niobate and the M1M2O₃ (BaZrO₃, BaSnO₃, BaHfO₃, etc.) both have a perovskite structure. More specifically, K, Na, and M1 (Ca, Sr, Ba) are present at the same site (A site), whereas Nb and M2 (Zr, Sn, Hf) are present at the same site (B site). The potassium sodium niobate and the M1M2O₃ (BaZrO₃, BaSnO₃, BaHfO₃, etc.) are homogeneously dispersed in the piezoelectric thin film, but not to be considered limited to this homogeneous dispersion.

In addition, appropriate relationships among x, y, and n are shown in FIG. 1 as graphs. FIG. 1(A) is a graph showing the relationship between x and n, whereas FIG. 1(B) is a graph showing the relationship between x and y.

In the present invention, the rapid increase in leakage current is suppressed even when an electric field in excess of 100 kV/cm is applied to the piezoelectric thin film, because a potassium sodium niobate thin film with M1M2O₃ (BaZrO₃, BaSnO₃, BaHfO₃, etc.) as a solid solution is used as the piezoelectric thin film.

Further, in an aspect of the invention, the x, y, and n respectively fall within the ranges of: 0.80≦x≦1.00; 0.85≦y≦1.10; and 0.01≦n≦0.10.

Further, in an aspect of the invention, the x, y, and n respectively fall within the ranges of: 0.80≦x≦1.00; 0.90≦y≦1.05; and 0.01≦n≦0.10.

The hatched region in FIG. 1(A) is a region indicating the appropriate relationship between x and n when x, and n respectively fall within the ranges of: 0.80≦x≦1.00 and 0.01≦n≦0.10. The hatched region in FIG. 1(B) is a region indicating the appropriate relationship between x and y when x and y respectively fall within the ranges of: 0.80≦x≦1.00 and 0.90≦y≦1.05.

The present invention achieves a piezoelectric constant d₃₃* equal to or more than the numerical value of the piezoelectric constant d₃₃* of the potassium sodium niobate thin film with M1M2O₃ (BaZrO₃, BaSnO₃, BaHfO₃, etc.), which is not a solid solution.

According to the present invention, a piezoelectric thin film element is achieved which has excellent leakage current characteristics, ferroelectric characteristics, and piezoelectric characteristics.

The above-mentioned object, other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will be further evident from the following description with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(A) is a graph showing the relationship between x and n, whereas FIG. 1(B) is a graph showing the relationship between x and y.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a piezoelectric thin film element according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a hysteresis curve for a piezoelectric thin film element with the use of a potassium sodium niobate thin film with BaZrO₃ as a solid solution.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a hysteresis curve for a piezoelectric thin film element with the use of a potassium sodium niobate thin film with BaSnO₃ as a solid solution.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a hysteresis curve for a piezoelectric thin film element with the use of a potassium sodium niobate thin film with BaHfO₃ as a solid solution.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   -   12 substrate     -   14 lower electrode     -   16 potassium sodium niobate thin film     -   16 a potassium sodium niobate layer     -   18 upper electrode

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Manufacture of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to First Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of a piezoelectric thin film element according to a first embodiment. The piezoelectric thin film element includes a substrate 12, a lower electrode 14 formed on the substrate 12, a piezoelectric thin film 16 formed on the lower electrode 14, and an upper electrode 18 formed on the piezoelectric thin film 16.

It is to be noted that the content of BaZrO₃ in a potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nBaZrO₃ as the piezoelectric thin film 16 is varied in the first embodiment.

For example, a silicon substrate (Si substrate) is used for the substrate 12. Further, for the substrate 12, substrates may be used such as a glass substrate, a quartz glass substrate, a GaAs substrate, a GaN substrate, a CaF₂ substrate, a sapphire substrate, an MgO substrate, an SrTiO₃ substrate, an LaAlO₃ substrate, a stainless-steel substrate.

The piezoelectric thin film 16, that is, potassium sodium niobate (KNN) thin film 16 is created by using a chemical solution deposition method.

First, potassium ethoxide, sodium ethoxide, pentaethoxy niobium, manganese acetylacetonato, barium ethoxide, and tetraisopropoxy zirconium as raw materials are prepared to meet 0.52×(1−n): 0.72×(1−n): 0.95×(1−n): 0.02×(1−n):n:n in terms of molar ratio. In the case of the present first embodiment herein, seven types of 0.00, 0.005, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.12 are selected as n.

Next, the potassium ethoxide, sodium ethoxide, pentaethoxy niobium, manganese acetylacetonato, barium ethoxide, and tetraisopropoxy zirconium as raw materials are mixed into a 2-methoxyethanol solvent in a glove box.

Next, the mixed solution is refluxed at 125° C. for 16 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere to provide a potassium sodium niobate (KNN) precursor solution (also referred to as a solution for chemical solution deposition) that has a concentration of 0.3 M.

On the other hand, the lower electrode 14 is formed on the Si substrate 12 by a magnetron DC sputtering method. Pt or the like is used as a material for the lower electrode 14.

The sputtering conditions include the sputtering output: 100 W; the sputtering time: 5 minutes; the temperature of the substrate 12: 300° C.; and the degree of vacuum: 5 millitorr.

Next, the potassium sodium niobate precursor solution is applied by spin coating onto the lower electrode 14 in a dry gas.

Next, a first heat treatment (preparatory heat treatment or drying treatment) is carried out. More specifically, the potassium sodium niobate precursor solution applied onto the lower electrode 14 is heated up at a rate of temperature increase of 120° C./min with the use of a hot plate heated in advance to a temperature of 350° C., and dried at 350° C. for 3 minutes.

Next, a second heat treatment (main heat treatment or firing treatment) is carried out. More specifically, the dried potassium sodium niobate precursor film is heated up at a rate of temperature increase of 5° C./min or less in the temperature range of 350° C. to 750° C. (including temperatures around 500° C., which rapidly decompose complexes formed by reflux), and subjected to firing for 10 minutes at a temperature of 750° C. Thus, the potassium sodium niobate layer 16 a is formed. The potassium sodium niobate layer 16 a formed by the single process described previously is 30 nm in thickness.

Furthermore, the process for forming the potassium sodium niobate layer 16 a is repeated 10 times to form a potassium sodium niobate thin film 16 that has a composition of (1−n)(K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃-nBaZrO₃ with a film thickness of 300 nm.

Next, the upper electrode 18 is formed by a magnetron DC sputtering method onto the potassium sodium niobate thin film 16. Pt or the like is used as a material for the upper electrode 18.

The sputtering conditions include the sputtering output: 100 W; the sputtering time: 5 minutes; the temperature of the substrate 12: 150° C.; and the degree of vacuum: 5 millitorr.

Thus, a piezoelectric thin film element is obtained.

It has been confirmed by composition analysis with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) that the composition of the potassium sodium niobate thin film 16 is bang on target.

Evaluation of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to First Embodiment

Table 1 shows electrical characteristics of the piezoelectric thin film element in the case of varying the proportion n of BaZrO₃ from 0.00 (sample No. 1), through 0.005 (sample No. 2), 0.01 (sample No. 3), 0.03 (sample No. 4), and 0.10 (sample No. 5), to 0.12 (sample No. 6). Items for the electrical characteristics are insulation properties, dielectric constant ∈, tan δ, and ferroelectric characteristics.

For the insulation properties, leakage current values in an electric field of 200 kV/cm were measured with the use of a measurement device “Electrometer 6517” (trade name from Keithley Instruments Inc.). For the dielectric constant ∈ and tan δ, the values at 1 kHz in the case of applying no voltage were measured with the use of a measurement device “HP4284A” (trade name from Agilent Technologies). For the ferroelectric characteristics, the values of saturation polarization Ps in hysteresis curves measured at a measuring frequency of 10 kHz and an applied voltage of 500 kV/cm were measured with the use of a measurement device “Precision Premier II” (trade name from Radiant Technologies, Inc). In the case of the leakage current of 5.43×10⁻⁵ A/cm² or less and the saturation polarization Ps of 10 μC/cm² or more, the sample was determined as a non-defective product (G), whereas the sample was determined as a defective product (NG) in all other cases. The leakage current of 5.43×10⁻⁵ A/cm² is one digit smaller than the leakage current of 5.43×10⁻⁴ A/cm²of the sample (sample No. 1) containing no BaZrO₃.

TABLE 1 Leakage Current tanδ p_(s) G/NG Sample (A/cm²) ε (%) (μC/ Deter- No. n @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz cm²) mination 1* 0.00 5.43 × 10⁻⁴ 726 2.12 28 NG 2* 0.005 5.62 × 10⁻⁵ 729 1.97 24 NG 3 0.01 5.09 × 10⁻⁶ 753 1.96 20 G 4 0.03 3.15 × 10⁻⁶ 844 1.85 18 G 5 0.10 2.77 × 10⁻⁶ 1075 1.73 11 G 6* 0.12 2.26 × 10⁻⁶ 587 1.62 7 NG Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

The sample No. 1 (n=0.00, containing no BaZrO₃) and the sample No. 2 (n=0.005) were determined as defective products (NG) because of the leakage currents of 5.43×10⁻⁵ A/cm² or more. The sample No. 6 (n=0.12) was determined as a defective product (NG) because of the saturation polarization Ps less than 10 μC/cm². On the other hand, the sample No. 3 (n=0.01), sample No. 4 (n=0.03), and sample No. 5 (n=0.10) were determined as non-defective products (G) because of the leakage currents of 5.43×10⁻⁵ A/cm² or less and the saturation polarization Ps of 10 μC/cm² or more.

More specifically, in the case of sample No. 2, the leakage current of 5.62×10⁻⁵ A/cm² is rarely different from 5.43×10⁻⁴ A/cm² as the leakage current of sample No. 1 (containing no BaZrO₃). However, the sample No. 3, the sample No. 4, the sample No. 5, and the sample No. 6, which are respectively 5.09×10⁻⁶ A/cm², 3.15×10⁻⁶ A/cm², 2.77×10⁻⁶ A/cm², and 2.26×10⁻⁶ A/cm² in leakage current, have achieved favorable leakage current characteristics.

Furthermore, the sample Nos. 1 to 6, which are respectively 28 μC/cm², 24 μC/cm², 20 μC/cm², 18 μC/cm², 11 μC/cm², and 7 μC/cm² in saturation polarization Ps, have a tendency to decrease the saturation polarization Ps as n is increased (in other words, the proportion of BaZrO₃ is increased). Further, the sample No. 6 (n=0.12) has substantially decreased saturation polarization Ps less than 10 μC/cm².

From the foregoing description, it is determined that the potassium sodium niobate thin film 16 with BaZrO₃ as a solid solution in the range of 0.01≦n≦0.10 with respect to (K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃ can improve the leakage current characteristics while maintaining excellent ferroelectric characteristics.

Moreover, the sample Nos. 3, 4, and 5 determined as non-defective products (G), and the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃ for comparison were selected to measure the changes in electrostatic capacitance with temperature. The measurement results are shown in Table 2. The measurement was made with the use of a cryostat in the temperature range of −55° C. to 85° C. in terms of actual use temperature. The rate of change of electrostatic capacitance was figured out from the formula (1) with the use of the measured electrostatic capacitance. It is to be noted that C₂₀ is an electrostatic capacitance value at 20° C., and C_(T) is an electrostatic capacitance value at a temperature T.

Rate of Change of Electrostatic Capacitance={(C _(T) −C ₂₀)/C ₂₀}×100  (1)

TABLE 2 Rate of Change of Sample Electrostatic Capacitance No. n (−55 to +85° C.) d₃₃* (pm/V)  1* 0.00 30% 124.0 3 0.01 19% (Characteristics B) 117.0 4 0.03 13% (Characteristics B) 124.7 5 0.10  3% (Characteristics B) 120.0 Mark *outside the scope of the present invention

Next, the electric-field induced strain Z was measured for the sample Nos. 1, 3, 4, and 5 with the use of a scanning probe microscope “SPA 400” (trade name from SII NanoTechnology Inc.). The Z_(max)/V_(max) was figured out from the measured maximum applied voltage V_(max) and the maximum electric-field induced strain Z_(max) at the voltage. This value of Z_(max)/V_(max) is regarded as a piezoelectric constant d₃₃*. Further, the maximum applied voltage V_(max) is 25 V, and the measuring frequency ranges from 0.5 to 10 Hz. The average value for the values obtained is regarded as the piezoelectric constant d₃₃* of the sample. The measurement results are shown in Table 2 above.

The sample No. 1 (n=0.00, containing no BaZrO₃) outside the scope of the present invention exhibited an extremely high rate of 30% as the rate of change of electrostatic capacitance.

On the other hand, the sample No. 3 (n=0.01), sample No. 4 (n=0.03), and sample No. 5 (n=0.10) within the scope of the present invention respectively exhibited 19%, 13%, and 3% as the rate of change of electrostatic capacitance. More specifically, the rates of change of electrostatic capacitance for the sample Nos. 3 to 5 meet the characteristics B, and are decreased as the proportion n of BaZrO₃ is increased. This contrasts with the fact that the rate of change of dielectric constant (electrostatic capacitance) increases as the proportion of BaZrO₃ is increased in the case of a bulk material of (1−x) (K_(0.5)Na_(0.5)) NbO₃-xBaZrO₃.

On the other hand, the piezoelectric constants d₃₃* of the sample Nos. 3 to 5 are respectively 117.0 pm/V, 124.7 pm/V, and 120.0 pm/V, which are values comparable to 124.0 pm/V of the sample No. 1 (containing no BaZrO₃).

In the present first embodiment, the evaluations were made on the samples containing 2 mol of Mn with respect to 100 mol of (K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃. However, evaluation results similar to those in the first embodiment were achieved on samples containing 10 mol of Mn or less with respect to 100 mol of the main constituent (1−n)(K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃-nBaZrO₃.

Manufacture of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to Second Embodiment

A piezoelectric thin film element according to a second embodiment is configured in the same fashion as the piezoelectric thin film element shown in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment.

It is to be noted that the x and y in a potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nBaZrO₃ as the piezoelectric thin film 16 are varied in the second embodiment.

The piezoelectric thin film 16, that is, potassium sodium niobate (KNN) thin film 16 is created by using a chemical solution deposition method.

First, potassium ethoxide, sodium ethoxide, pentaethoxy niobium, manganese acetylacetonato, barium ethoxide (or calcium ethoxide or strontium ethoxide), and tetraisopropoxy zirconium as raw materials are prepared to meet (1.07−x)×0.97:(x+0.17)×0.97:y×0.97:0.02×0.97:0.03:0.03 in terms of molar ratio. In the case of the present second embodiment herein, x and y respectively satisfy a conditional expression 0.2≦x≦1.00 and a conditional expression 0.8≦y≦1.15.

Thereafter, a piezoelectric thin film element including a substrate 12, a lower electrode 14 formed on the substrate 12, a piezoelectric thin film 16 formed on the lower electrode 14, and an upper electrode 18 formed on the piezoelectric thin film 16 is created by the same method as in the first embodiment.

The piezoelectric thin film 16 is a potassium sodium niobate (KNN) thin film that has a composition of 0.97(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-0.03M1ZrO₃ (0.2≦x≦1.00, 0.8≦y≦1.15, M1=Ca, Sr, Ba) with a film thickness of 300 nm.

Evaluation of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to Second Embodiment

Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 show: the leakage current in an electric field of 200 kV/cm; the dielectric constant ∈ and tan δ at a frequency of 1 kHz; and the value of saturation polarization Ps measured at a measuring frequency of 10 kHz and an applied electric field of 500 kV/cm, in the case of varying the x and y in 0.97 (K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-0.03BaZrO₃ in the ranges of 0.2≦x≦1.00 and 0.8≦y≦1.15 (sample No. 4, sample Nos. 7 to 141). It is to be noted that, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, in the case of the leakage current of 5.43≦x≦10⁻⁵ A/cm² or less and the saturation polarization Ps of 10 μC/cm² or more, the sample was determined as a non-defective product (G), whereas the sample was determined as a defective product (NG) in all other cases.

TABLE 3 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) G/NG No. x y @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz P_(s) (μC/cm²) Determination  7* 0.20 0.80 2.70 × 10⁻³ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG  8* 0.25 0.80 6.09 × 10⁻³ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG  9* 0.30 0.80 1.64 × 10⁻³ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 10* 0.35 0.80 4.59 × 10⁻⁴ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 11* 0.40 0.80 1.12 × 10⁻¹ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 12* 0.45 0.80 3.60 × 10⁻³ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 13* 0.50 0.80 3.13 × 10⁻³ 888 1.87 14 NG 14* 0.55 0.80 1.40 × 10⁻³ 844 2.03 12 NG 15* 0.60 0.80 1.20 × 10⁻² 849 1.82 13 NG 16* 0.65 0.80 2.57 × 10⁻⁴ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 17* 0.70 0.80 1.30 × 10⁻² 1020 2.49 20 NG 18* 0.75 0.80 1.02 × 10⁻³ 1010 2.01 22 NG 19* 0.80 0.80 3.26 × 10⁻⁴ 955 1.88 23 NG 20* 0.85 0.80 5.34 × 10⁻⁴ 991 2.31 22 NG 21* 0.90 0.80 2.18 × 10⁻⁴ 983 2.55 21 NG 22* 0.95 0.80 1.99 × 10⁻⁴ 1003 2.08 22 NG 23* 1.00 0.80 4.13 × 10⁻⁴ 970 2.66 20 NG 24* 0.20 0.85 9.38 × 10⁻⁵ 1103 2.24 20 NG 25 0.25 0.85 2.04 × 10⁻⁸ 1050 2.17 19 G 26 0.30 0.85 7.39 × 10⁻⁸ 979 2.27 18 G 27 0.35 0.85 9.31 × 10⁻⁸ 945 2.95 16 G 28 0.40 0.85 8.63 × 10⁻⁸ 888 2.88 17 G 29 0.45 0.85 7.06 × 10⁻⁸ 902 2.58 18 G 30 0.50 0.85 7.16 × 10⁻⁸ 1050 2.48 20 G 31 0.55 0.85 9.92 × 10⁻⁸ 979 2.78 23 G 32 0.60 0.85 1.13 × 10⁻⁷ 912 1.96 23 G 33 0.65 0.85 9.12 × 10⁻⁸ 1150 2.24 20 G 34 0.70 0.85 8.55 × 10⁻⁸ 1210 2.18 25 G 35 0.75 0.85 1.07 × 10⁻⁷ 1230 2.23 22 G 36 0.80 0.85 9.01 × 10⁻⁸ 998 2.07 22 G 37 0.85 0.85 7.97 × 10⁻⁸ 1021 1.98 21 G 38 0.90 0.85 8.69 × 10⁻⁸ 1150 1.88 22 G 39 0.95 0.85 9.21 × 10⁻⁸ 1008 2.03 22 G 40 1.00 0.85 9.88 × 10⁻⁸ 992 2.11 21 G Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

TABLE 4 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) P_(s) G/NG No. x y @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz (μC/cm²) Determination  41* 0.20 0.90 9.17 × 10⁻⁵ 1340 2.80 22 NG 42 0.25 0.90 1.15 × 10⁻⁷ 1200 2.62 20 G 43 0.30 0.90 1.17 × 10⁻⁷ 1180 3.06 21 G 44 0.35 0.90 1.22 × 10⁻⁷ 1040 2.55 20 G 45 0.40 0.90 1.17 × 10⁻⁷ 1050 3.13 23 G 46 0.45 0.90 2.33 × 10⁻⁷ 963 3.04 27 G 47 0.50 0.90 2.69 × 10⁻⁷ 940 2.43 27 G 48 0.55 0.90 1.05 × 10⁻⁷ 936 2.87 27 G 49 0.60 0.90 1.15 × 10⁻⁷ 984 3.04 27 G 50 0.65 0.90 1.28 × 10⁻⁷ 859 2.56 26 G 51 0.70 0.90 1.73 × 10⁻⁷ 945 2.45 26 G 52 0.75 0.90 1.94 × 10⁻⁷ 753 2.35 23 G 53 0.80 0.90 2.05 × 10⁻⁷ 657 2.16 23 G 54 0.85 0.90 1.90 × 10⁻⁷ 864 2.55 28 G 55 0.90 0.90 2.34 × 10⁻⁷ 986 2.36 26 G 56 0.95 0.90 1.97 × 10⁻⁷ 1125 2.28 27 G 57 1.00 0.90 2.53 × 10⁻⁷ 1189 2.10 28 G  58* 0.20 0.95 9.18 × 10⁻⁵ 830 2.00 19 NG 59 0.25 0.95 2.90 × 10⁻⁶ 883 2.10 22 G 60 0.30 0.95 9.68 × 10⁻⁶ 859 1.80 22 G 61 0.35 0.95 5.89 × 10⁻⁶ 936 1.92 22 G 62 0.40 0.95 5.10 × 10⁻⁶ 844 1.88 20 G 63 0.45 0.95 6.38 × 10⁻⁶ 984 2.57 19 G 64 0.50 0.95 1.82 × 10⁻⁶ 998 2.46 19 G  4 0.55 0.95 3.15 × 10⁻⁶ 844 1.85 18 G 65 0.60 0.95 2.75 × 10⁻⁶ 964 2.11 20 G 66 0.65 0.95 3.04 × 10⁻⁶ 926 2.11 22 G 67 0.70 0.95 1.19 × 10⁻⁶ 868 1.70 20 G 68 0.75 0.95 1.28 × 10⁻⁵ 873 1.71 20 G 69 0.80 0.95 2.05 × 10⁻⁶ 796 1.83 20 G 70 0.85 0.95 3.21 × 10⁻⁶ 856 1.93 20 G 71 0.90 0.95 5.55 × 10⁻⁶ 880 1.88 22 G 72 0.95 0.95 8.32 × 10⁻⁶ 923 2.03 21 G 73 1.00 0.95 4.33 × 10⁻⁶ 957 2.15 21 G Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

TABLE 5 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) P_(s) G/NG No. x y @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz (μC/cm²) Determination  74* 0.20 1.00 6.37 × 10⁻³ 883 2.22 18 NG 75 0.25 1.00 6.89 × 10⁻⁵ 883 1.98 19 G 76 0.30 1.00 5.94 × 10⁻⁶ 907 2.27 22 G 77 0.35 1.00 7.20 × 10⁻⁶ 916 2.22 22 G 78 0.40 1.00 1.19 × 10⁻⁶ 998 2.82 22 G 79 0.45 1.00 2.86 × 10⁻⁶ 892 2.54 20 G 80 0.50 1.00 2.06 × 10⁻⁶ 1010 2.94 23 G 81 0.55 1.00 3.41 × 10⁻⁶ 912 2.41 19 G 82 0.60 1.00 8.51 × 10⁻⁶ 777 2.36 18 G 83 0.65 1.00 7.73 × 10⁻⁶ 849 3.03 21 G 84 0.70 1.00 4.87 × 10⁻⁶ 710 2.06 16 G 85 0.75 1.00 4.60 × 10⁻⁵ 729 1.82 20 G 86 0.80 1.00 2.23 × 10⁻⁶ 710 1.63 19 G 87 0.85 1.00 4.42 × 10⁻⁶ 830 1.88 20 G 88 0.90 1.00 3.38 × 10⁻⁶ 842 1.90 19 G 89 0.95 1.00 5.19 × 10⁻⁶ 866 1.00 21 G 90 1.00 1.00 6.22 × 10⁻⁶ 903 1.79 24 G  91* 0.20 1.05 4.49 × 10⁻² 902 2.13 21 NG 92 0.25 1.05 1.30 × 10⁻⁵ 926 2.79 21 G 93 0.30 1.05 1.12 × 10⁻⁶ 859 2.51 22 G 94 0.35 1.05 9.91 × 10⁻⁶ 844 2.15 21 G 95 0.40 1.05 7.95 × 10⁻⁶ 907 2.27 21 G 96 0.45 1.05 1.07 × 10⁻⁶ 792 2.31 19 G 97 0.50 1.05 2.68 × 10⁻⁶ 744 2.14 20 G 98 0.55 1.05 3.65 × 10⁻⁶ 758 1.74 20 G 99 0.60 1.05 2.41 × 10⁻⁶ 614 2.30 18 G 100  0.65 1.05 1.63 × 10⁻⁶ 653 1.86 17 G 101  0.70 1.05 5.65 × 10⁻⁶ 715 1.66 18 G 102  0.75 1.05 5.19 × 10⁻⁵ 725 1.81 18 G 103  0.80 1.05 5.28 × 10⁻⁶ 677 1.73 20 G 104  0.85 1.05 4.86 × 10⁻⁶ 709 2.00 20 G 105  0.90 1.05 4.69 × 10⁻⁶ 755 2.16 21 G 106  0.95 1.05 5.22 × 10⁻⁶ 743 1.98 23 G 107  1.00 1.05 8.01 × 10⁻⁶ 800 1.90 23 G Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

TABLE 6 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) P_(s) G/NG No. x y @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz (μC/cm²) Determination 108* 0.20 1.10 8.86 × 10⁻⁴ 777 2.79 20 NG 109 0.25 1.10 1.04 × 10⁻⁵ 701 2.44 18 G 110 0.30 1.10 8.21 × 10⁻⁶ 657 3.00 18 G 111 0.35 1.10 9.54 × 10⁻⁶ 723 2.15 19 G 112 0.40 1.10 2.18 × 10⁻⁶ 725 2.47 18 G 113 0.45 1.10 8.32 × 10⁻⁶ 653 2.56 18 G 114 0.50 1.10 3.20 × 10⁻⁶ 629 2.62 17 G 115 0.55 1.10 8.60 × 10⁻⁶ 600 2.10 15 G 116 0.60 1.10 7.54 × 10⁻⁶ 590 2.63 15 G 117 0.65 1.10 9.86 × 10⁻⁶ 585 2.51 15 G 118 0.70 1.10 7.69 × 10⁻⁶ 657 1.89 16 G 119 0.75 1.10 3.20 × 10⁻⁵ 638 2.03 15 G 120 0.80 1.10 9.28 × 10⁻⁶ 590 2.09 16 G 121 0.85 1.10 8.87 × 10⁻⁶ 663 1.99 17 G 122 0.90 1.10 7.77 × 10⁻⁶ 670 1.86 18 G 123 0.95 1.10 7.69 × 10⁻⁶ 621 2.12 20 G 124 1.00 1.10 8.19 × 10⁻⁶ 608 2.09 21 G 125* 0.20 1.15 4.26 × 10⁻⁴ 602 2.54 17 NG 126* 0.25 1.15 9.24 × 10⁻⁵ 586 1.98 18 NG 127* 0.30 1.15 8.21 × 10⁻⁵ 572 3.22 16 NG 128* 0.35 1.15 1.54 × 10⁻⁴ 523 3.10 15 NG 129* 0.40 1.15 8.18 × 10⁻⁵ 538 2.85 17 NG 130* 0.45 1.15 2.32 × 10⁻⁴ 510 2.46 17 NG 131* 0.50 1.15 3.20 × 10⁻⁴ 498 2.19 19 NG 132* 0.55 1.15 8.60 × 10⁻⁴ 476 2.77 20 NG 133* 0.60 1.15 6.65 × 10⁻⁴ 460 1.99 18 NG 134* 0.65 1.15 2.16 × 10⁻⁴ 458 4.01 16 NG 135* 0.70 1.15 5.90 × 10⁻⁴ 431 3.02 18 NG 136* 0.75 1.15 3.20 × 10⁻³ 425 3.11 17 NG 137* 0.80 1.15 3.33 × 10⁻⁴ 410 3.86 17 NG 138* 0.85 1.15 3.28 × 10⁻⁴ 420 3.56 18 NG 139* 0.90 1.15 2.88 × 10⁻⁴ 435 3.44 19 NG 140* 0.95 1.15 6.98 × 10⁻⁴ 412 3.21 20 NG 141* 1.00 1.15 5.18 × 10⁻⁴ 466 3.06 20 NG Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

The sample Nos. 7 to 23 in Table 3 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=0.80. These samples are high in leakage current from 1.99×10⁻⁴ A/cm² to 1.12×10⁻¹ A/cm², from which the effect of BaZrO₃ in a solid solution is not observed. Accordingly, the sample Nos. 7 to 23 were determined as defective products (NG). This is because the molar ratio between (K_(1-x), Na_(x), Ba) at the site A and (Nb_(y), Zr) at the site B significantly deviates from the stoichiometric composition.

The sample Nos. 24 to 40 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=0.85. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 24) is 9.38×10⁻⁵ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was little different from that of the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 25 to 40) range from 2.04×10⁻⁸ A/cm² to 1.13×10⁻⁷ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 16 to 25 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 25 to 40) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample Nos. 41 to 57 in Table 4 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=0.90. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 41) is 9.17×10⁻⁵ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was little different from that of the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 42 to 57) range from 1.05×10⁻⁷ A/cm² to 2.69×10⁻⁷ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 20 to 27 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 42 to 57) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample No. 4 and Nos. 58 to 73 in Table 4 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=0.95. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 58) is 9.18×10⁻⁵ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was little different from or worse than that of the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample No. 4 and sample Nos. 59 to 73) range from 1.19×10⁻⁶ A/cm² to 9.68×10⁻⁶ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 18 to 22 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample No. 4 and sample Nos. 59 to 73) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample Nos. 74 to 90 in Table 5 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=1.00. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 74) is 6.37×10⁻³ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was little different from that of the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 75 to 90) range from 1.19×10⁻⁶ A/cm² to 8.51×10⁻⁶ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 16 to 24 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 75 to 90) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample Nos. 91 to 107 in Table 5 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=1.05. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 91) is 4.49×10⁻² A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was worse than that of the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 92 to 107) range from 1.07×10⁻⁶ A/cm² to 5.19×10⁻⁵ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 17 to 23 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 92 to 107) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample Nos. 108 to 124 in Table 6 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=1.10. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 108) is 8.86×10⁻⁴ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was little different from or worse than that of the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 109 to 124) range from 2.18×10⁻⁶ A/cm² to 3.20×10⁻⁵ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 1 containing no BaZrO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 15 to 21 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 109 to 124) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample Nos. 125 to 141 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=1.15. These samples are high in leakage current from 8.18×10⁻⁵ A/cm² to 1.76×10⁻¹ A/cm², from which the effect of BaZrO₃ in a solid solution is not observed. Accordingly, the sample Nos. 125 to 141 were determined as defective products (NG). This is because the molar ratio between (K_(1-x), Na_(x), Ba) at the site A and (Nb_(y), Zr) at the site B significantly deviates from the stoichiometric composition.

In addition, the samples determined as non-defective products (G) are all 3% or less in tan δ, which is extremely low. Therefore, it is determined that high-quality potassium sodium niobate thin films 16 are created.

Furthermore, the electric-field induced strain Z was measured for the samples determined as non-defective products (G) in the non-defective/defective (G/NG) determination described above (sample No. 4, sample Nos. 25 to 40, etc.) with the use of a scanning probe microscope “SPA 400” (trade name from SII NanoTechnology Inc.). The Z_(max)/V_(max) was figured out from the measured maximum applied voltage V_(max) and the maximum electric-field induced strain Z_(max) at the voltage. This value of Z_(max)/V_(max) is regarded as a piezoelectric constant d₃₃*. Further, the maximum applied voltage V_(max) is 25 V, and the measuring frequency ranges from 0.5 to 10 Hz. The average value for the values obtained is regarded as the piezoelectric constant d₃₃* of the sample. The measurement results are shown in Tables 7, 8, and 9.

TABLE 7 Sample No. x y d₃₃* (pm/V) 25 0.25 0.85 111.0 26 0.30 0.85 118.5 27 0.35 0.85 115.0 28 0.40 0.85 111.5 29 0.45 0.85 105.4 30 0.50 0.85 121.4 31 0.55 0.85 117.3 32 0.60 0.85 110.7 33 0.65 0.85 113.6 34 0.70 0.85 116.6 35 0.75 0.85 126.8 36 0.80 0.85 145.6 37 0.85 0.85 150.6 38 0.90 0.85 153.2 39 0.95 0.85 155.6 40 1.00 0.85 160.3 42 0.25 0.90 109.2 43 0.30 0.90 110.5 44 0.35 0.90 108.3 45 0.40 0.90 106.0 46 0.45 0.90 107.8 47 0.50 0.90 120.6 48 0.55 0.90 117.5 49 0.60 0.90 113.2 50 0.65 0.90 112.1 51 0.70 0.90 111.1 52 0.75 0.90 127.7 53 0.80 0.90 143.2 54 0.85 0.90 140.5 55 0.90 0.90 153.6 56 0.95 0.90 160.8 57 1.00 0.90 159.6

TABLE 8 Sample No. x y d₃₃* (pm/V) 59 0.25 0.95 119.3 60 0.30 0.95 120.2 61 0.35 0.95 130.4 62 0.40 0.95 103.8 63 0.45 0.95 116.2 64 0.50 0.95 114.1 4 0.55 0.95 124.7 65 0.60 0.95 104.3 66 0.65 0.95 108.3 67 0.70 0.95 103.6 68 0.75 0.95 125.4 69 0.80 0.95 148.6 70 0.85 0.95 150.1 71 0.90 0.95 154.9 72 0.95 0.95 160.0 73 1.00 0.95 149.6 75 0.25 1.00 113.3 76 0.30 1.00 111.3 77 0.35 1.00 116.0 78 0.40 1.00 102.2 79 0.45 1.00 113.2 80 0.50 1.00 117.0 81 0.55 1.00 121.2 82 0.60 1.00 110.0 83 0.65 1.00 109.5 84 0.70 1.00 104.6 85 0.75 1.00 127.0 86 0.80 1.00 144.3 87 0.85 1.00 150.9 88 0.90 1.00 160.5 89 0.95 1.00 157.6 90 1.00 1.00 160.6

TABLE 9 Sample No. x y d₃₃* (pm/V) 92 0.25 1.05 111.2 93 0.30 1.05 110.9 94 0.35 1.05 112.1 95 0.40 1.05 104.1 96 0.45 1.05 110.5 97 0.50 1.05 118.8 98 0.55 1.05 119.4 99 0.60 1.05 111.6 100 0.65 1.05 110.8 101 0.70 1.05 107.8 102 0.75 1.05 122.4 103 0.80 1.05 142.9 104 0.85 1.05 144.5 105 0.90 1.05 149.0 106 0.95 1.05 150.6 107 1.00 1.05 152.3 109 0.25 1.10 107.3 110 0.30 1.10 102.4 111 0.35 1.10 101.5 112 0.40 1.10 100.5 113 0.45 1.10 110.1 114 0.50 1.10 119.8 115 0.55 1.10 117.7 116 0.60 1.10 115.7 117 0.65 1.10 110.6 118 0.70 1.10 105.5 119 0.75 1.10 120.6 120 0.80 1.10 140.7 121 0.85 1.10 142.8 122 0.90 1.10 151.7 123 0.95 1.10 159.3 124 1.00 1.10 152.8

From Tables 7 to 9, it is determined that the piezoelectric constant d₃₃* ranges from 100.5 to 160.8 pm/V, and achieves numerical values equal to or more than 124.0 pm/V for the sample No. 1 (containing no BaZrO₃).

In particular, it is determined that in the case of the samples in which the range of x is 0.80≦x≦1.00 (sample Nos. 36 to 40, etc.), the piezoelectric constant d₃₃* ranges from 140.5 to 160.8 pm/V, which are extremely large numerical values as compared with 124.0 pm/V of the sample No. 1 (containing no BaZrO₃).

Table 10 shows: the leakage current in an electric field of 200 kV/cm; the dielectric constant ∈ and tan δ at a frequency of 1 kHz; and the values of spontaneous polarization P_(s) and piezoelectric constant d₃₃* measured at a measuring frequency of 10 kHz and an applied electric field of 500 kV/cm in the case of 0.97 (K_(0.1)Na_(0.9))Nb_(0.950)O₃-0.03M1ZrO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr) with x=0.90, y=0.95, and n=0.03 (sample Nos. 142 and 143).

TABLE 10 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) P_(s) d₃₃* G/NG No. M1 @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz (μC/cm²) (pm/V) Determination 142 Ca 4.23 × 10⁻⁶ 950 2.03 21 150.4 G 143 Sr 6.91 × 10⁻⁶ 824 2.11 23 152.1 G

From Table 10, the sample with M1=Ca (sample No. 142) is 4.23×10⁻⁶ A/cm² in leakage current, which is low. Furthermore, the spontaneous polarization P_(s) is 21 μC/cm², and the ferroelectricity was thus also maintained. Accordingly, the sample with M1=Ca (Sample No. 142) was determined as a non-defective product (G).

In addition, the sample with M1=Sr (sample No. 143) is 6.91×10⁻⁶ A/cm² in leakage current, which is also low. Furthermore, the spontaneous polarization P_(s) is 23 μC/cm², and the ferroelectricity was thus also maintained. Accordingly, the sample with M1=Sr (Sample No. 143) was determined as a non-defective product (G).

Further, these samples with M1=Ca, Sr (samples Nos. 142 and 143) respectively have piezoelectric constants d₃₃* of 150.4 pm/V and 152.1 pm/V, and have improvements in piezoelectric constant d₃₃* observed as compared with the sample containing no M1ZrO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr).

In the second embodiment, the evaluations were made on the samples containing 2 mol of Mn with respect to 100 mol of (K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃. However, evaluation results similar to those in the second embodiment were achieved on samples containing 10 mol of Mn or less with respect to 100 mol of the main constituent 0.97 (K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-0.03M1ZrO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr, Ba).

Accordingly, from the evaluation results in this second embodiment, it has been revealed that piezoelectric thin film elements which have excellent leakage current characteristics, ferroelectric characteristics, and piezoelectric characteristics are achieved by meeting 0.25≦x≦1.00 and 0.85≦y≦1.10 in the potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nM1ZrO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr, Ba) as the piezoelectric thin film 16.

FIG. 3 shows a ferroelectric hysteresis curve for the sample No. 4. It is determined that BaZrO₃ in the potassium sodium niobate as a solid solution improves the leakage current characteristics in electric fields of 100 kV/cm or more, and exhibits the favorable ferroelectric hysteresis curve even at the maximum applied voltage of 1 MV/cm and the measuring frequency of 100 Hz.

As just described, a piezoelectric thin film element which has excellent leakage current characteristics, ferroelectric characteristics, and piezoelectric characteristics is achieved by adjusting the ranges of x, y, and n respectively to 0.25≦x≦1.00, 0.85≦y≦1.10, and 0.01≦n≦0.10 in the potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula for piezoelectric thin films: (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nM1ZrO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr, Ba) in the piezoelectric thin film element according to the present invention. Furthermore, the change in electrostatic capacitance with temperature is suppressed which is problematic in the use of ferroelectric thin film elements or piezoelectric thin film elements.

Manufacture of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to Third Embodiment

A piezoelectric thin film element according to a third embodiment is configured in the same fashion as the piezoelectric thin film element shown in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment.

It is to be noted that the content of BaSnO₃ in a potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nBaSnO₃ as the piezoelectric thin film 16 is varied in the third embodiment.

The piezoelectric thin film 16, that is, potassium sodium niobate (KNN) thin film 16 is created by using a chemical solution deposition method.

First, potassium ethoxide, sodium ethoxide, pentaethoxy niobium, manganese acetylacetonato, barium ethoxide, and tetraisopropoxy tin as raw materials are prepared to meet 0.52×(1−n): 0.72×(1−n): 0.95×(1−n): 0.02×(1−n): n:n in terms of molar ratio. In the case of the present third embodiment herein, seven types of 0.00, 0.005, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.12 are selected as n.

Next, the potassium ethoxide, sodium ethoxide, pentaethoxy niobium, manganese acetylacetonato, barium ethoxide, and tetraisopropoxy tin as raw materials are mixed into a 2-methoxyethanol solvent in a glove box.

Next, the mixed solution is refluxed at 125° C. for 16 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere to provide a potassium sodium niobate (KNN) precursor solution (also referred to as a solution for chemical solution deposition) that has a concentration of 0.3 M.

On the other hand, the lower electrode 14 is formed on the Si substrate 12 by a magnetron DC sputtering method. Pt or the like is used as a material for the lower electrode 14.

The sputtering conditions include the sputtering output: 100 W; the sputtering time: 5 minutes; the temperature of the substrate 12: 300° C.; and the degree of vacuum: 5 millitorr.

Next, the potassium sodium niobate precursor solution is applied by spin coating onto the lower electrode 14 in a dry gas.

Next, a first heat treatment (preparatory heat treatment or drying treatment) is carried out. More specifically, the potassium sodium niobate precursor solution applied onto the lower electrode 14 is heated at a rate of temperature increase of 120° C./min with the use of a hot plate heated in advance to a temperature of 350° C., and dried at 350° C. for 3 minutes.

Next, a second heat treatment (main heat treatment or firing treatment) is carried out. More specifically, the dried potassium sodium niobate precursor film is heated up at a rate of temperature increase of 5° C./min or less in the temperature range of 350° C. to 750° C. (including temperatures around 500° C., which rapidly decompose complexes formed by reflux), and subjected to firing for 10 minutes at a temperature of 750° C. Thus, the potassium sodium niobate layer 16 a is formed. The potassium sodium niobate layer 16 a formed by the single process described previously is 30 nm in thickness.

Furthermore, the process for forming the potassium sodium niobate layer 16 a is repeated 10 times to form a potassium sodium niobate thin film 16 that has a composition of (1−n)(K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃-nBaSnO₃ with a film thickness of 300 nm.

Next, the upper electrode 18 is formed by a magnetron DC sputtering method onto the potassium sodium niobate thin film 16. Pt or the like is used as a material for the upper electrode 18.

The sputtering conditions include the sputtering output: 100 W; the sputtering time: 5 minutes; the temperature of the substrate 12: 150° C.; and the degree of vacuum: 5 millitorr.

Thus, a piezoelectric thin film element is obtained.

It has been confirmed by composition analysis with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) that the composition of the potassium sodium niobate thin film 16 is bang on target.

Evaluation of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to Third Embodiment

Table 11 shows electrical characteristics of the piezoelectric thin film element in the case of varying the proportion n of BaSnO₃ from 0.00 (sample No. 201), through 0.005 (sample No. 202), 0.01 (sample No. 203), 0.03 (sample No. 204), and 0.10 (sample No. 205), to 0.12 (sample No. 206). Items for the electrical characteristics are insulation properties, dielectric constant ∈, tan δ, and ferroelectric characteristics.

TABLE 11 LeakageCurrent (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) P_(s) G/NG Sample No. n @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz (μC/cm²) Determination 201* 0 5.43 × 10⁻⁴ 726 2.12 28 NG 202* 0.005 5.22 × 10⁻⁵ 720 2.38 23 NG 203 0.01 3.26 × 10⁻⁶ 710 2.15 18 G 204 0.03 1.17 × 10⁻⁷ 677 2.29 14 G 205 0.1 2.38 × 10⁻⁷ 575 2.22 11 G 206* 0.12 1.98 × 10⁻⁷ 530 2.3 8 NG Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

The sample No. 201 (n=0.00, containing no BaSnO₃) and the sample No. 202 (n=0.005) were determined as defective products (NG) because of the leakage currents of 5.43×10⁻⁵ A/cm² or more. The sample No. 206 (n=0.12) was determined as a defective product (NG) because of the saturation polarization Ps less than 10 μC/cm². On the other hand, the sample No. 203 (n=0.01), sample No. 204 (n=0.03), and sample No. 205 (n=0.10) were determined as non-defective products (G) because of the leakage currents of 5.43×10⁻⁵ A/cm² or less and the saturation polarization Ps of 10 μC/cm² or more.

More specifically, in the case of sample No. 202, the leakage current of 8.22×10⁻⁵ A/cm² is rarely different from 5.43×10⁻⁴ A/cm² as the leakage current of sample No. 201 (containing no BaSnO₃). However, the sample No. 203, the sample No. 204, the sample No. 205, and the sample No. 206, which are respectively 3.26×10⁻⁶ A/cm², 1.17×10⁻⁷ A/cm², 2.38×10⁻⁷ A/cm², and 1.98×10⁻⁷ A/cm² in leakage current, have achieved favorable leakage current characteristics.

Furthermore, the sample Nos. 201 to 206, which are respectively 28 μC/cm², 23 μC/cm², 18 μC/cm², 14 μC/cm², 11 μC/cm², and 8 μC/cm² in saturation polarization Ps, have a tendency to decrease the saturation polarization Ps as n is increased (in other words, the proportion of BaSnO₃ is increased). Further, the sample No. 206 (n=0.12) has substantially decreased saturation polarization Ps less than 10 μC/cm².

From the foregoing description, it is determined that the potassium sodium niobate thin film 16 with BaSnO₃ as a solid solution in the range of 0.01≦n≦0.10 with respect to (K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃ can improve the leakage current characteristics while maintaining excellent ferroelectric characteristics.

Furthermore, the piezoelectric constants d₃₃* of the sample Nos. 201 to 206 were obtained in the same manner as in the first embodiment described previously. The measurement results are shown in Table 12.

TABLE 12 Sample No. n d₃₃* (pm/V)  201* 0.00 124.0  202* 0.005 119.2 203 0.01 115.3 204 0.03 107.9 205 0.10 112.6  206* 0.12 70.5 Mark *outside the scope of the present invention

The piezoelectric constants d₃₃* of the sample Nos. 202 to 205 are respectively 119.2 pm/V, 115.3 pm/V, 107.9 pm/V, and 112.6 pm/V, which are values comparable to 124.0 pm/V of the sample No. 201 (containing no BaSnO₃). On the other hand, the sample No. 206 (n=0.12) has a drastically decreased piezoelectric constant d₃₃* of 70.5 pm/V. This is because the spontaneous polarization Ps is an extremely small value of 10 μC/cm² or less.

In the third embodiment, the evaluations were made on the samples containing 2 mol of Mn with respect to 100 mol of (K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃. However, evaluation results similar to those in the third embodiment were achieved on samples containing 10 mol of Mn or less with respect to 100 mol of the main constituent (1−n)(K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃-nBaSnO₃.

Manufacture of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to Fourth Embodiment

A piezoelectric thin film element according to a fourth embodiment is configured in the same fashion as the piezoelectric thin film element shown in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment.

It is to be noted that the x and y in a potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nBaSnO₃ as the piezoelectric thin film 16 are varied in the fourth embodiment.

The piezoelectric thin film 16, that is, potassium sodium niobate (KNN) thin film 16 is created by using a chemical solution deposition method.

First, potassium ethoxide, sodium ethoxide, pentaethoxy niobium, manganese acetylacetonato, barium ethoxide, and tetraisopropoxy tin as raw materials are prepared to meet (1.07−x)×0.97: (x+0.17)×0.97:y×0.97:0.02×0.97:0.03:0.03 in terms of molar ratio. In the case of the fourth embodiment herein, x and y respectively satisfy a conditional expression 0.2≦x≦1.00 and a conditional expression 0.85≦y≦1.10.

Thereafter, a piezoelectric thin film element including a substrate 12, a lower electrode 14 formed on the substrate 12, a piezoelectric thin film 16 formed on the lower electrode 14, and an upper electrode 18 formed on the piezoelectric thin film 16 is created by the same method as in the third embodiment.

The piezoelectric thin film 16 is a potassium sodium niobate (KNN) thin film that has a composition of 0.97(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-0.03BaSnO₃ (0.2≦x≦1.00, 0.85≦y≦1.10) with a film thickness of 300 nm.

Evaluation of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to Fourth Embodiment

Tables 13, 14, and 15 show: the leakage current in an electric field of 200 kV/cm; the dielectric constant ∈ and tan δ at a frequency of 1 kHz; and the value of saturation polarization Ps measured at a measuring frequency of 10 kHz and an applied electric field of 500 kV/cm, in the case of varying the x and y in 0.97 (K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-0.03BaSnO₃ in the ranges of 0.2≦x≦1.00 and 0.85≦y≦1.10 (sample No. 204, sample Nos. 207 to 307). It is to be noted that, in the same manner as in the third embodiment, in the case of the leakage current of 5.43×10⁻⁵ A/cm² or less and the saturation polarization Ps of 10 μC/cm² or more, the sample was determined as a non-defective product (G), whereas the sample was determined as a defective product (NG) in all other cases.

TABLE 13 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) G/NG No. x y @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz P_(s) (μC/cm²) Determination 207* 0.20 0.85 3.00 × 10⁻¹ 873 2.76 Unmeasurable NG 208* 0.25 0.85 1.15 × 10⁻² 912 2.54 Unmeasurable NG 209* 0.30 0.85 4.95 × 10⁻³ 859 1.96 Unmeasurable NG 210* 0.35 0.85 5.27 × 10⁻² 1060 2.87 Unmeasurable NG 211* 0.40 0.85 8.66 × 10⁻² 969 2.07 Unmeasurable NG 212* 0.45 0.85 7.71 × 10⁻⁴ 921 2.18 Unmeasurable NG 213* 0.50 0.85 3.12 × 10⁻⁴ 988 2.65 Unmeasurable NG 214* 0.55 0.85 7.21 × 10⁻² 919 2.14 Unmeasurable NG 215* 0.60 0.85 8.19 × 10⁻³ 1056 1.97 Unmeasurable NG 216* 0.65 0.85 3.86 × 10⁻² 882 2.55 Unmeasurable NG 217* 0.70 0.85 1.36 × 10⁻² 1041 2.82 Unmeasurable NG 218* 0.75 0.85 9.96 × 10⁻³ 902 3.99 Unmeasurable NG 219* 0.80 0.85 4.32 × 10⁻² 921 2.15 Unmeasurable NG 220* 0.85 0.85 4.56 × 10⁻² 997 3.01 Unmeasurable NG 221* 0.90 0.85 3.36 × 10⁻² 1022 2.82 Unmeasurable NG 222* 0.95 0.85 7.54 × 10⁻³ 837 2.76 Unmeasurable NG 223* 1.00 0.85 4.22 × 10⁻² 1004 2.88 Unmeasurable NG 224* 0.20 0.90 5.39 × 10⁻⁵ 1094 2.28 21 NG 225 0.25 0.90 2.33 × 10⁻⁶ 936 1.64 19 G 226 0.30 0.90 1.51 × 10⁻⁶ 796 1.75 17 G 227 0.35 0.90 1.77 × 10⁻⁶ 753 1.58 15 G 228 0.40 0.90 1.67 × 10⁻⁶ 758 2.30 15 G 229 0.45 0.90 1.52 × 10⁻⁶ 796 1.90 17 G 230 0.50 0.90 1.38 × 10⁻⁶ 830 2.27 18 G 231 0.55 0.90 1.49 × 10⁻⁶ 748 2.07 30 G 232 0.60 0.90 1.60 × 10⁻⁶ 772 2.12 32 G 233 0.65 0.90 2.77 × 10⁻⁶ 844 2.11 30 G 234 0.70 0.90 1.97 × 10⁻⁶ 840 1.67 31 G 235 0.75 0.90 7.88 × 10⁻⁷ 868 2.15 30 G 236 0.80 0.90 2.09 × 10⁻⁶ 1128 2.41 32 G 237 0.85 0.90 2.56 × 10⁻⁶ 1150 2.46 30 G 238 0.90 0.90 1.90 × 10⁻⁶ 1143 2.55 31 G 239 0.95 0.90 1.79 × 10⁻⁶ 1193 2.80 32 G 240 1.00 0.90 2.21 × 10⁻⁶ 1177 2.93 32 G Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

TABLE 14 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) P_(s) G/NG No. x y @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz (μC/cm²) Determination 241* 0.20 0.95 6.56 × 10⁻³ 806 1.58 19 NG 242 0.25 0.95 2.59 × 10⁻⁶ 825 1.74 20 G 243 0.30 0.95 2.09 × 10⁻⁶ 835 1.73 20 G 244 0.35 0.95 2.54 × 10⁻⁶ 748 1.56 18 G 245 0.40 0.95 2.24 × 10⁻⁶ 715 1.79 15 G 246 0.45 0.95 8.47 × 10⁻⁶ 840 2.44 19 G 247 0.50 0.95 2.54 × 10⁻⁶ 748 2.24 15 G 204 0.55 0.95 1.17 × 10⁻⁷ 677 2.29 14 G 248 0.60 0.95 1.05 × 10⁻⁶ 686 1.86 19 G 249 0.65 0.95 6.59 × 10⁻⁶ 883 2.80 20 G 250 0.70 0.95 1.65 × 10⁻⁶ 792 2.35 18 G 251 0.75 0.95 3.43 × 10⁻⁶ 960 2.40 25 G 252 0.80 0.95 6.09 × 10⁻⁶ 916 2.46 18 G 253 0.85 0.95 5.63 × 10⁻⁶ 1021 2.55 20 G 254 0.90 0.95 4.68 × 10⁻⁶ 985 2.64 21 G 255 0.95 0.95 6.66 × 10⁻⁷ 991 2.80 24 G 256 1.00 0.95 7.46 × 10⁻⁶ 1006 2.16 25 G 257* 0.20 1.00 2.64 × 10⁻³ 758 1.81 22 NG 258 0.25 1.00 5.33 × 10⁻⁶ 734 1.72 20 G 259 0.30 1.00 4.96 × 10⁻⁶ 763 2.18 17 G 260 0.35 1.00 3.54 × 10⁻⁶ 744 2.02 17 G 261 0.40 1.00 1.07 × 10⁻⁶ 763 2.20 18 G 262 0.45 1.00 1.25 × 10⁻⁶ 734 1.93 19 G 263 0.50 1.00 7.73 × 10⁻⁶ 772 2.05 19 G 264 0.55 1.00 5.65 × 10⁻⁶ 701 2.26 20 G 265 0.60 1.00 1.30 × 10⁻⁵ 657 2.03 18 G 266 0.65 1.00 1.07 × 10⁻⁶ 643 2.55 26 G 267 0.70 1.00 2.41 × 10⁻⁶ 653 2.37 15 G 268 0.75 1.00 9.91 × 10⁻⁶ 648 2.54 19 G 269 0.80 1.00 7.79 × 10⁻⁶ 614 2.44 22 G 270 0.85 1.00 6.43 × 10⁻⁶ 740 2.43 22 G 271 0.90 1.00 8.11 × 10⁻⁶ 721 2.22 23 G 272 0.95 1.00 6.43 × 10⁻⁶ 705 2.83 23 G 273 1.00 1.00 4.23 × 10⁻⁶ 763 2.09 24 G Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

TABLE 15 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) G/NG No. x y @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz P_(s) (μC/cm²) Determination 274* 0.20 1.05 8.95 × 10⁻³ 772 2.41 22 NG 275 0.25 1.05 2.68 × 10⁻⁶ 629 1.91 20 G 276 0.30 1.05 3.65 × 10⁻⁶ 626 2.90 17 G 277 0.35 1.05 8.51 × 10⁻⁶ 596 2.81 17 G 278 0.40 1.05 4.87 × 10⁻⁶ 611 2.65 17 G 279 0.45 1.05 2.06 × 10⁻⁶ 634 2.32 18 G 280 0.50 1.05 1.12 × 10⁻⁶ 679 2.34 21 G 281 0.55 1.05 7.95 × 10⁻⁶ 608 2.04 17 G 282 0.60 1.05 5.19 × 10⁻⁶ 667 2.11 19 G 283 0.65 1.05 3.41 × 10⁻⁶ 648 2.48 20 G 284 0.70 1.05 4.60 × 10⁻⁵ 684 2.67 17 G 285 0.75 1.05 1.63 × 10⁻⁶ 686 2.39 19 G 286 0.80 1.05 4.42 × 10⁻⁶ 624 2.96 23 G 287 0.85 1.05 8.64 × 10⁻⁶ 650 2.66 24 G 288 0.90 1.05 7.43 × 10⁻⁶ 663 2.42 22 G 289 0.95 1.05 1.59 × 10⁻⁵ 709 2.44 24 G 290 1.00 1.05 4.55 × 10⁻⁶ 693 2.80 21 G 291* 0.20 1.10 4.98 × 10⁻² 787 3.01 Unmeasurable NG 292* 0.25 1.10 3.14 × 10⁻² 523 2.09 Unmeasurable NG 293* 0.30 1.10 5.42 × 10⁻³ 489 3.62 Unmeasurable NG 294* 0.35 1.10 2.40 × 10⁻³ 448 5.60 Unmeasurable NG 295* 0.40 1.10 1.95 × 10⁻⁴ 459 5.09 Unmeasurable NG 296* 0.45 1.10 9.83 × 10⁻⁴ 534 4.70 Unmeasurable NG 297* 0.50 1.10 1.13 × 10⁻⁴ 585 4.62 Unmeasurable NG 298* 0.55 1.10 1.30 × 10⁻⁴ 516 5.81 Unmeasurable NG 299* 0.60 1.10 4.67 × 10⁻³ 677 4.19 Unmeasurable NG 300* 0.65 1.10 1.42 × 10⁻³ 653 4.40 Unmeasurable NG 301* 0.70 1.10 1.86 × 10⁻³ 715 2.96 Unmeasurable NG 302* 0.75 1.10 2.71 × 10⁻² 725 4.23 Unmeasurable NG 303* 0.80 1.10 8.84 × 10⁻² 633 4.38 Unmeasurable NG 304* 0.85 1.10 9.46 × 10⁻³ 716 3.39 Unmeasurable NG 305* 0.90 1.10 8.88 × 10⁻³ 722 4.00 Unmeasurable NG 306* 0.95 1.10 7.46 × 10⁻³ 699 3.84 Unmeasurable NG 307* 1.00 1.10 9.10 × 10⁻³ 706 2.97 Unmeasurable NG Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

The sample Nos. 207 to 223 in Table 13 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=0.85. These samples are high in leakage current from 3.12×10⁻⁴ A/cm² to 3.00×10⁻¹ A/cm², from which the effect of BaSnO₃ in a solid solution is not observed. Accordingly, the sample Nos. 207 to 223 were determined as defective products (NG). This is because the molar ratio between (K_(1-x), Na_(x), Ba) at the site A and (Nb_(y), Sn) at the site B significantly deviates from the stoichiometric composition.

The sample Nos. 224 to 240 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=0.90. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 224) is 6.39×10⁻⁵ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was little different from that of the sample No. 201 containing no BaSnO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 225 to 240) range from 7.88×10⁻⁷ A/cm² to 2.77×10⁻⁶ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 201 containing no BaSnO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 15 to 32 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 225 to 240) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample No. 204 and Nos. 241 to 256 in Table 14 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=0.95. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 241) is 6.56×10⁻³ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was worse than that of the sample No. 201 containing no BaSnO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample No. 204 and sample Nos. 242 to 256) range from 1.17×10⁻⁷ A/cm² to 8.47×10⁻⁶ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 201 containing no BaSnO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 14 to 25 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample No. 204 and sample Nos. 242 to 256) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample Nos. 257 to 273 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=1.00. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 257) is 2.64×10⁻³ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was worse than that of the sample No. 201 containing no BaSnO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 258 to 273) range from 1.07×10⁻⁶ A/cm² to 1.30×10⁻⁵ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 201 containing no BaSnO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 15 to 26 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 258 to 273) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample Nos. 274 to 290 in Table 15 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=1.05. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 274) is 8.95×10⁻³ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was worse than that of the sample No. 201 containing no BaSnO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 275 to 290) range from 1.12×10⁻⁶ A/cm² to 4.60×10⁻⁵ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 201 containing no BaSnO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 17 to 24 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 275 to 290) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample Nos. 291 to 307 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=1.10. These samples are high in leakage current from 1.13×10⁻⁴ A/cm² to 8.84×10⁻² A/cm², from which the effect of BaSnO₃ in a solid solution is not observed. Accordingly, the sample Nos. 291 to 307 were determined as defective products (NG). This is because the molar ratio between (K_(1-x), Na_(y), Ba) at the site A and (Nb_(y), Sn) at the site B significantly deviates from the stoichiometric composition.

In addition, the samples determined as non-defective products (G) are all 3% or less in tan δ, which is extremely low. Therefore, it is determined that high-quality potassium sodium niobate thin films 16 are created.

Furthermore, the piezoelectric constant d₃₃* was figured out in the same way as in the second embodiment described previously, for the samples determined as non-defective products (G) in the non-defective/defective (G/NG) determination described above (sample No. 204, sample Nos. 225 to 240, etc.). The measurement results are shown in Tables 16 and 17.

TABLE 16 Sample No. x y d₃₃* (pm/V) 225 0.25 0.90 109.0 226 0.30 0.90 102.3 227 0.35 0.90 104.1 228 0.40 0.90 105.8 229 0.45 0.90 103.6 230 0.50 0.90 101.3 231 0.55 0.90 105.4 232 0.60 0.90 109.5 233 0.65 0.90 108.4 234 0.70 0.90 107.2 235 0.75 0.90 120.5 236 0.80 0.90 139.7 237 0.85 0.90 142.8 238 0.90 0.90 150.6 239 0.95 0.90 154.3 240 1.00 0.90 158.2 242 0.25 0.95 104.1 243 0.30 0.95 101.9 244 0.35 0.95 105.0 245 0.40 0.95 108.1 246 0.45 0.95 106.9 247 0.50 0.95 105.7 204 0.55 0.95 107.9 248 0.60 0.95 126.7 249 0.65 0.95 118.7 250 0.70 0.95 110.7 251 0.75 0.95 120.3 252 0.80 0.95 140.6 253 0.85 0.95 151.7 254 0.90 0.95 149.6 255 0.95 0.95 155.3 256 1.00 0.95 154.3

TABLE 17 Sample No. x y d₃₃* (pm/V) 258 0.25 1.00 103.3 259 0.30 1.00 105.1 260 0.35 1.00 108.2 261 0.40 1.00 106.8 262 0.45 1.00 102.9 263 0.50 1.00 102.3 264 0.55 1.00 107.9 265 0.60 1.00 110.5 266 0.65 1.00 111.3 267 0.70 1.00 106.7 268 0.75 1.00 121.7 269 0.80 1.00 143.4 270 0.85 1.00 149.6 271 0.90 1.00 150.4 272 0.95 1.00 155.2 273 1.00 1.00 156.1 275 0.25 1.05 109.4 276 0.30 1.05 106.4 277 0.35 1.05 119.7 278 0.40 1.05 104.6 279 0.45 1.05 101.5 280 0.50 1.05 117.2 281 0.55 1.05 110.0 282 0.60 1.05 105.1 283 0.65 1.05 116.7 284 0.70 1.05 109.1 285 0.75 1.05 126.0 286 0.80 1.05 140.9 287 0.85 1.05 141.5 288 0.90 1.05 150.2 289 0.95 1.05 148.3 290 1.00 1.05 156.8

From Tables 16 and 17, it is determined that the piezoelectric constant d₃₃* ranges from 100.5 to 158.2 pm/V, which are rarely different from 124.0 pm/V for the sample No. 201 (containing no BaSnO₃). This is because the spontaneous polarization Ps is a large value of 10 μC/cm² or more.

In particular, it is determined that in the case of the samples in which the range of x is 0.80≦x≦1.00 (sample Nos. 236 to 240, etc.), the piezoelectric constant d₃₃* ranges from 139.7 to 158.2 pm/V, which are extremely large numerical values as compared with 124.0 pm/V of the sample No. 201 (containing no BaSnO₃).

Table 18 shows: the leakage current in an electric field of 200 kV/cm; the dielectric constant ∈ and tan δ at a frequency of 1 kHz; and the values of spontaneous polarization P_(s) and piezoelectric constant d₃₃* measured at a measuring frequency of 10 kHz and an applied electric field of 500 kV/cm in the case of 0.97 (K_(0.1)Na_(0.9))Nb_(0.95)O₃-0.03M1SnO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr) with x=0.90, y=0.95, and n=0.03 (sample Nos. 308 and 309).

TABLE 18 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) P_(s) d₃₃* G/NG No. M1 @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz (μC/cm²) (pm/V) Determination 308 Ca 3.22 × 10⁻⁶ 846 2.22 20 151.4 G 309 Sr 4.19 × 10⁻⁶ 850 2.41 21 148.3 G

From Table 18, the sample with M1=Ca (sample No. 308) is 3.22×10⁻⁶ A/cm² in leakage current, which is low. Furthermore, the spontaneous polarization P_(s) is 20 μC/cm², and the ferroelectricity was thus also maintained. Accordingly, the sample with M1=Ca (Sample No. 308) was determined as a non-defective product (G).

In addition, the sample with M1=Sr (sample No. 309) is 4.19×10⁻⁶ A/cm² in leakage current, which is also low. Furthermore, the spontaneous polarization P_(s) is 21 μC/cm², and the ferroelectricity was thus also maintained. Accordingly, the sample with M1=Sr (Sample No. 309) was determined as a non-defective product (G).

Further, these samples with M1=Ca, Sr (sample Nos. 308 and 309) respectively have piezoelectric constants d₃₃* of 151.4 pm/V and 148.3 pm/V, and have improvements in piezoelectric constant d₃₃* observed as compared with the sample containing no M1SnO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr).

In the fourth embodiment, the evaluations were made on the samples containing 2 mol of Mn with respect to 100 mol of (K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃. However, evaluation results similar to those in the fourth embodiment were achieved on samples containing 10 mol of Mn or less with respect to 100 mol of the main constituent 0.97(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-0.03M1SnO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr, Ba).

Accordingly, from the evaluation results in this fourth embodiment, it has been revealed that piezoelectric thin film elements which have excellent leakage current characteristics, ferroelectric characteristics, and piezoelectric characteristics are achieved by meeting 0.25≦x≦1.00 and 0.90≦y≦1.05 in the potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nM1SnO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr, Ba) as the piezoelectric thin film 16.

FIG. 4 shows a ferroelectric hysteresis curve for the sample No. 204. It is determined that BaSnO₃ in the potassium sodium niobate as a solid solution improves the leakage current characteristics in electric fields of 100 kV/cm or more, and exhibits the favorable ferroelectric hysteresis curve even at the maximum applied voltage of 1 MV/cm and the measuring frequency of 100 Hz.

As just described, a piezoelectric thin film element which has excellent leakage current characteristics, ferroelectric characteristics, and piezoelectric characteristics is achieved by adjusting the ranges of x, y, and n respectively to 0.25≦x≦1.00, 0.90≦y≦1.05, and 0.01≦n≦0.10 in the potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula for piezoelectric thin films: (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nM1SnO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr, Ba) in the piezoelectric thin film element according to the present invention. Furthermore, the change in electrostatic capacitance with temperature is suppressed which is problematic in the use of ferroelectric thin film elements or piezoelectric thin film elements.

Manufacture of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to Fifth Embodiment

A piezoelectric thin film element according to a fifth embodiment is configured in the same fashion as the piezoelectric thin film element shown in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment.

It is to be noted that the content of BaHfO₃ in a potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nBaHfO₃ as the piezoelectric thin film 16 is varied in the fifth embodiment.

The piezoelectric thin film 16, that is, potassium sodium niobate (KNN) thin film 16 is created by using a chemical solution deposition method.

First, potassium ethoxide, sodium ethoxide, pentaethoxy niobium, manganese acetylacetonato, barium ethoxide, and tetraisopropoxy hafnium as raw materials are prepared to meet 0.52×(1−n): 0.72×(1−n): 0.95×(1−n): 0.02×(1−n): n:n in terms of molar ratio. In the case of the present fifth embodiment herein, seven types of 0.00, 0.005, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.12 are selected as n.

Next, the potassium ethoxide, sodium ethoxide, pentaethoxy niobium, manganese acetylacetonato, barium ethoxide, and tetraisopropoxy hafnium as raw materials are mixed into a 2-methoxyethanol solvent in a glove box.

Next, the mixed solution is refluxed at 125° C. for 16 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere to provide a potassium sodium niobate (KNN) precursor solution (also referred to as a solution for chemical solution deposition) that has a concentration of 0.3 M.

On the other hand, the lower electrode 14 is formed on the Si substrate 12 by a magnetron DC sputtering method. Pt or the like is used as a material for the lower electrode 14.

The sputtering conditions include the sputtering output: 100 W; the sputtering time: 5 minutes; the temperature of the substrate 12: 300° C.; and the degree of vacuum: 5 millitorr.

Next, the potassium sodium niobate precursor solution is applied by spin coating onto the lower electrode 14 in a dry gas.

Next, a first heat treatment (preparatory heat treatment or drying treatment) is carried out. More specifically, the potassium sodium niobate precursor solution applied onto the lower electrode 14 is heated at a rate of temperature increase of 120° C./min with the use of a hot plate heated in advance to a temperature of 350° C., and dried at 350° C. for 3 minutes.

Next, a second heat treatment (main heat treatment or firing treatment) is carried out. More specifically, the dried potassium sodium niobate precursor film is heated up at a rate of temperature increase of 5° C./min or less in the temperature range of 350° C. to 750° C. (including temperatures around 500° C., which rapidly decompose complexes formed by reflux), and subjected to firing for 10 minutes at a temperature of 750° C. Thus, the potassium sodium niobate layer 16 a is formed. The potassium sodium niobate layer 16 a formed by the single process described previously is 30 nm in thickness.

Furthermore, the process for forming the potassium sodium niobate layer 16 a is repeated 10 times to form a potassium sodium niobate thin film 16 that has a composition of (1−n)(K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃-nBaHfO₃ with a film thickness of 300 nm.

Next, the upper electrode 18 is formed by a magnetron DC sputtering method onto the potassium sodium niobate thin film 16. Pt or the like is used as a material for the upper electrode 18.

The sputtering conditions include the sputtering output: 100 W; the sputtering time: 5 minutes; the temperature of the substrate 12: 150° C.; and the degree of vacuum: 5 millitorr.

Thus, a piezoelectric thin film element is obtained.

It has been confirmed by composition analysis with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) that the composition of the potassium sodium niobate thin film 16 is bang on target.

Evaluation of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to Fifth Embodiment

Table 19 shows electrical characteristics of the piezoelectric thin film element in the case of varying the proportion n of BaHfO₃ from 0.00 (sample No. 401), through 0.005 (sample No. 402), 0.01 (sample No. 403), 0.03 (sample No. 404), and 0.10 (sample No. 405), to 0.12 (sample No. 406). Items for the electrical characteristics are insulation properties, dielectric constant ∈, tan δ, and ferroelectric characteristics.

TABLE 19 Leakage Current (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) P_(s) G/NG Sample No. n @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz (μC/cm²) Determination 401* 0 5.43 × 10⁻⁴ 726 2.12 28 NG 402* 0.005 2.38 × 10⁻⁴ 821 2.21 26 NG 403 0.01 8.22 × 10⁻⁶ 956 2.30 24 G 404 0.03 6.15 × 10⁻⁶ 1122 2.39 21 G 405 0.1 3.61 × 10⁻⁶ 801 2.03 12 G 406* 0.12 1.73 × 10⁻⁶ 509 1.88 8 NG Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

The sample No. 401 (n=0.00, containing no BaHfO₃) and the sample No. 402 (n=0.005) were determined as defective products (NG) because of the leakage currents of 5.43×10⁻⁵ A/cm² or more. The sample No. 406 (n=0.12) was determined as a defective product (NG) because of the saturation polarization Ps less than 10 μC/cm². On the other hand, the sample No. 403 (n=0.01), sample No. 404 (n=0.03), and sample No. 405 (n=0.10) were determined as non-defective products (G) because of the leakage currents of 5.43×10⁻⁵ A/cm² or less and the saturation polarization Ps of 10 μC/cm² or more.

More specifically, in the case of sample No. 402, the leakage current of 2.38×10⁻⁴ A/cm² is rarely different from 5.43×10⁻⁴ A/cm² as the leakage current of sample No. 401 (containing no BaHfO₃). However, the sample No. 403, the sample No. 404, the sample No. 405, and the sample No. 406, which are respectively 8.22×10⁻⁶ A/cm², 6.15×10⁻⁶ A/cm², 3.61×10⁻⁶ A/cm², and 1.73×10⁻⁶ A/cm² in leakage current, have achieved favorable leakage current characteristics.

Furthermore, the sample Nos. 401 to 406, which are respectively 28 μC/cm², 26 μC/cm², 24 μC/cm², 21 μC/cm², 12 μC/cm², and 8 μC/cm² in saturation polarization Ps, have a tendency to decrease the saturation polarization Ps as n is increased (in other words, the proportion of BaHfO₃ is increased). Further, the sample No. 406 (n=0.12) has substantially decreased saturation polarization Ps less than 10 μC/cm².

From the foregoing description, it is determined that the potassium sodium niobate thin film 16 with BaHfO₃ as a solid solution in the range of 0.01≦n≦0.10 with respect to (K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃ can improve the leakage current characteristics while maintaining excellent ferroelectric characteristics.

Furthermore, the piezoelectric constants d₃₃* of the sample Nos. 401 to 406 were obtained in the same manner as in the first embodiment described previously. The measurement results are shown in Table 20.

TABLE 20 Sample No. n d₃₃* (pm/V)  401* 0.00 124.0  402* 0.005 120.6 403 0.01 123.7 404 0.03 128.7 405 0.10 111.9  406* 0.12 89.2 Mark *outside the scope of the present invention

The piezoelectric constants d₃₃* of the sample Nos. 402 to 405 are respectively 120.6 pm/V, 123.7 pm/V, 128.7 pm/V, and 111.9 pm/V, which are values comparable to 124.0 pm/V of the sample No. 401 (containing no BaHfO₃). On the other hand, the sample No. 406 (n=0.12) has a drastically decreased piezoelectric constant d₃₃* of 89.2 pm/V. This is because the spontaneous polarization Ps is an extremely small value of 10 μC/cm² or less.

In the fifth embodiment, the evaluations were made on the samples containing 2 mol of Mn with respect to 100 mol of (K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃. However, evaluation results similar to those in the fifth embodiment were achieved on samples containing 10 mol of Mn or less with respect to 100 mol of the main constituent (1−n)(K_(0.45)Na_(0.55))Nb_(0.95)O₃-nBaHfO₃.

Manufacture of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to Sixth Embodiment

A piezoelectric thin film element according to a sixth embodiment is configured in the same fashion as the piezoelectric thin film element shown in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment.

It is to be noted that the x and y in a potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nBaHfO₃ as the piezoelectric thin film 16 are varied in the sixth embodiment.

The piezoelectric thin film 16, that is, potassium sodium niobate (KNN) thin film 16 is created by using a chemical solution deposition method.

First, potassium ethoxide, sodium ethoxide, pentaethoxy niobium, manganese acetylacetonato, barium ethoxide, and tetraisopropoxy hafnium as raw materials are prepared to meet (1.07−x)×0.97:(x+0.17)×0.97: y×0.97:0.02×0.97:0.03:0.03 in terms of molar ratio. In the case of the sixth embodiment herein, x and y respectively satisfy a conditional expression 0.2≦x≦1.00 and a conditional expression 0.85≦y≦1.10.

Thereafter, a piezoelectric thin film element including a substrate 12, a lower electrode 14 formed on the substrate 12, a piezoelectric thin film 16 formed on the lower electrode 14, and an upper electrode 18 formed on the piezoelectric thin film 16 is created by the same method as in the fifth embodiment.

The piezoelectric thin film 16 is a potassium sodium niobate (KNN) thin film that has a composition of 0.97(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-0.03BaHfO₃ (0.2≦x≦1.00, 0.85≦y≦1.10) with a film thickness of 300 nm.

Evaluation of Piezoelectric Thin Film Element According to Sixth Embodiment

Tables 21, 22, and 23 show: the leakage current in an electric field of 200 kV/cm; the dielectric constant ∈ and tan δ at a frequency of 1 kHz; and the value of saturation polarization Ps measured at a measuring frequency of 10 kHz and an applied electric field of 500 kV/cm, in the case of varying the x and y in 0.97 (K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-0.03BaHfO₃ in the ranges of 0.2≦x≦1.00 and 0.85≦y≦1.10 (sample No. 404, sample Nos. 407 to 507). It is to be noted that, in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment, in the case of the leakage current of 5.43×10⁻⁵ A/cm² or less and the saturation polarization Ps of 10 μC/cm² or more, the sample was determined as a non-defective product (G), whereas the sample was determined as a defective product (NG) in all other cases.

TABLE 21 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) G/NG No. x y @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz P_(s) (μC/cm²) Determination 407* 0.20 0.85 2.66 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 408* 0.25 0.85 3.12 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 409* 0.30 0.85 3.33 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 410* 0.35 0.85 8.25 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 411* 0.40 0.85 4.50 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 412* 0.45 0.85 2.13 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 413* 0.50 0.85 6.15 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 414* 0.55 0.85 8.83 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 415* 0.60 0.85 9.62 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 416* 0.65 0.85 2.22 × 10⁻¹ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 417* 0.70 0.85 4.21 × 10⁻¹ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 418* 0.75 0.85 3.72 × 10⁻¹ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 419* 0.80 0.85 6.81 × 10⁻¹ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 420* 0.85 0.85 3.77 × 10⁻¹ Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 421* 0.90 0.85 5.66 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 422* 0.95 0.85 7.19 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 423* 1.00 0.85 7.55 × 10⁻² Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable NG 424* 0.20 0.90 5.12 × 10⁻⁴ 1210 2.53 20 NG 425 0.25 0.90 6.81 × 10⁻⁶ 1322 2.41 19 G 426 0.30 0.90 7.77 × 10⁻⁸ 1199 2.33 21 G 427 0.35 0.90 8.29 × 10⁻⁸ 1123 2.69 23 G 428 0.40 0.90 2.39 × 10⁻⁸ 1241 2.61 22 G 429 0.45 0.90 9.17 × 10⁻⁸ 1231 2.23 18 G 430 0.50 0.90 5.54 × 10⁻⁸ 1106 2.53 19 G 431 0.55 0.90 6.15 × 10⁻⁸ 1064 2.92 21 G 432 0.60 0.90 7.68 × 10⁻⁸ 1023 2.83 22 G 433 0.65 0.90 2.22 × 10⁻⁸ 1004 2.66 22 G 434 0.70 0.90 3.84 × 10⁻⁷ 988 2.81 24 G 435 0.75 0.90 6.81 × 10⁻⁷ 946 2.46 25 G 436 0.80 0.90 5.69 × 10⁻⁸ 910 2.55 24 G 437 0.85 0.90 7.22 × 10⁻⁸ 930 2.38 25 G 438 0.90 0.90 4.57 × 10⁻⁸ 951 2.71 26 G 439 0.95 0.90 3.90 × 10⁻⁸ 941 2.66 24 G 440 1.00 0.90 8.86 × 10⁻⁸ 923 2.81 26 G Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

TABLE 22 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) P_(s) G/NG No. x y @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz (μC/cm²) Determination 441* 0.20 0.95 6.89 × 10⁻³ 1223 2.65 20 NG 442 0.25 0.95 7.42 × 10⁻⁶ 1304 2.36 22 G 443 0.30 0.95 5.45 × 10⁻⁷ 1251 2.33 23 G 444 0.35 0.95 2.58 × 10⁻⁷ 1322 1.98 24 G 445 0.40 0.95 4.39 × 10⁻⁷ 1052 2.66 21 G 446 0.45 0.95 2.11 × 10⁻⁷ 1134 2.59 20 G 447 0.50 0.95 9.14 × 10⁻⁷ 1189 2.43 19 G 404 0.55 0.95 6.15 × 10⁻⁶ 1122 2.39 21 G 448 0.60 0.95 7.82 × 10⁻⁷ 1092 2.16 22 G 449 0.65 0.95 1.69 × 10⁻⁷ 1054 2.06 23 G 450 0.70 0.95 6.66 × 10⁻⁷ 1022 2.00 20 G 451 0.75 0.95 8.22 × 10⁻⁷ 1003 2.89 21 G 452 0.80 0.95 4.42 × 10⁻⁷ 992 2.34 22 G 453 0.85 0.95 5.88 × 10⁻⁷ 1043 2.55 22 G 454 0.90 0.95 7.44 × 10⁻⁷ 1060 2.46 23 G 455 0.95 0.95 8.23 × 10⁻⁷ 986 2.44 23 G 456 1.00 0.95 4.65 × 10⁻⁷ 1006 2.70 22 G 457* 0.20 1.00 7.77 × 10⁻⁴ 1220 2.85 21 NG 458 0.25 1.00 8.16 × 10⁻⁶ 1122 2.39 22 G 459 0.30 1.00 9.52 × 10⁻⁶ 1055 2.38 20 G 460 0.35 1.00 4.57 × 10⁻⁶ 1035 2.26 23 G 461 0.40 1.00 2.64 × 10⁻⁶ 1122 2.39 25 G 462 0.45 1.00 7.22 × 10⁻⁶ 1183 2.20 20 G 463 0.50 1.00 4.61 × 10⁻⁶ 981 2.94 22 G 464 0.55 1.00 2.67 × 10⁻⁶ 974 2.38 21 G 465 0.60 1.00 9.71 × 10⁻⁶ 955 2.33 20 G 466 0.65 1.00 6.43 × 10⁻⁶ 923 2.51 23 G 467 0.70 1.00 7.11 × 10⁻⁶ 911 2.49 24 G 468 0.75 1.00 6.63 × 10⁻⁶ 924 2.82 25 G 469 0.80 1.00 7.15 × 10⁻⁶ 882 2.46 20 G 470 0.85 1.00 4.56 × 10⁻⁶ 906 2.55 23 G 471 0.90 1.00 5.71 × 10⁻⁶ 922 2.68 22 G 472 0.95 1.00 5.69 × 10⁻⁶ 931 2.66 25 G 473 1.00 1.00 7.55 × 10⁻⁶ 916 2.13 25 G Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

TABLE 23 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) G/NG No. x y @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz P_(s) (μC/cm²) Determination 474* 0.20 1.05 4.12 × 10⁻⁴ 1188 2.93 18 NG 475 0.25 1.05 8.22 × 10⁻⁶ 1125 2.88 22 G 476 0.30 1.05 3.15 × 10⁻⁶ 1100 2.36 23 G 477 0.35 1.05 2.35 × 10⁻⁶ 1153 2.31 24 G 478 0.40 1.05 6.61 × 10⁻⁶ 1082 2.59 21 G 479 0.45 1.05 2.94 × 10⁻⁶ 1023 2.36 22 G 480 0.50 1.05 1.26 × 10⁻⁶ 1041 2.62 22 G 481 0.55 1.05 3.14 × 10⁻⁶ 973 2.06 23 G 482 0.60 1.05 4.11 × 10⁻⁶ 945 2.46 24 G 483 0.65 1.05 2.48 × 10⁻⁶ 935 2.73 23 G 484 0.70 1.05 6.71 × 10⁻⁶ 922 2.92 22 G 485 0.75 1.05 6.44 × 10⁻⁶ 842 2.16 20 G 486 0.80 1.05 5.68 × 10⁻⁶ 813 2.09 18 G 487 0.85 1.05 4.12 × 10⁻⁶ 855 2.46 22 G 488 0.90 1.05 5.68 × 10⁻⁶ 869 2.62 24 G 489 0.95 1.05 5.22 × 10⁻⁶ 902 2.88 23 G 490 1.00 1.05 7.66 × 10⁻⁶ 916 2.20 24 G 491* 0.20 1.10 4.12 × 10⁻³ 1083 2.88 Unmeasurable NG 492* 0.25 1.10 4.91 × 10⁻³ 1034 3.00 Unmeasurable NG 493* 0.30 1.10 5.14 × 10⁻³ 1055 2.97 Unmeasurable NG 494* 0.35 1.10 6.41 × 10⁻³ 1003 2.99 Unmeasurable NG 495* 0.40 1.10 5.51 × 10⁻³ 968 2.84 Unmeasurable NG 496* 0.45 1.10 5.38 × 10⁻³ 923 2.79 Unmeasurable NG 497* 0.50 1.10 7.12 × 10⁻³ 982 2.91 Unmeasurable NG 498* 0.55 1.10 8.99 × 10⁻³ 936 2.69 Unmeasurable NG 499* 0.60 1.10 1.53 × 10⁻³ 913 2.55 Unmeasurable NG 500* 0.65 1.10 4.33 × 10⁻³ 900 2.83 Unmeasurable NG 501* 0.70 1.10 7.14 × 10⁻³ 866 2.49 Unmeasurable NG 502* 0.75 1.10 6.61 × 10⁻³ 923 2.69 Unmeasurable NG 503* 0.80 1.10 3.42 × 10⁻³ 824 2.85 Unmeasurable NG 504* 0.85 1.10 4.31 × 10⁻³ 906 2.99 Unmeasurable NG 505* 0.90 1.10 7.03 × 10⁻³ 911 2.76 Unmeasurable NG 506* 0.95 1.10 5.61 × 10⁻³ 929 2.66 Unmeasurable NG 507* 1.00 1.10 3.46 × 10⁻³ 859 2.46 Unmeasurable NG Mark *: outside the scope of the present invention

The sample Nos. 407 to 423 in Table 21 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=0.85. These samples are high in leakage current from 2.13×10⁻² A/cm² to 6.81×10⁻¹ A/cm², from which the effect of BaHfO₃ in a solid solution is not observed. Accordingly, the sample Nos. 407 to 423 were determined as defective products (NG). This is because the molar ratio between (K_(1-x), Na_(x), Ba) at the site A and (Nb_(y), Hf) at the site B significantly deviates from the stoichiometric composition.

The sample Nos. 424 to 440 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=0.90. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 424) is 5.12×10⁻⁴ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was little different from that of the sample No. 401 containing no BaHfO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 425 to 440) range from 2.22×10⁻⁸ A/cm² to 6.81×10⁻⁶ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 401 containing no BaHfO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 18 to 26 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 425 to 440) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample No. 404 and Nos. 441 to 456 in Table 22 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=0.95. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 441) is 6.89×10⁻³ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was worse than that of the sample No. 401 containing no BaHfO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample No. 404 and sample Nos. 442 to 456) range from 1.69×10⁻⁷ A/cm² to 7.42×10⁻⁶ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 401 containing no BaHfO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 19 to 24 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample No. 404 and sample Nos. 442 to 456) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample Nos. 457 to 473 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=1.00. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 457) is 7.77×10⁻⁴ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was worse than that of the sample No. 401 containing no BaHfO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 458 to 473) range from 2.64×10⁻⁶ A/cm² to 9.71×10⁻⁶ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 401 containing no BaHfO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 20 to 25 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 458 to 473) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample Nos. 474 to 490 in Table 23 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=1.05. Among the samples, the leakage current of the sample with x=0.20 (sample No. 474) is 4.12×10⁻⁴ A/cm². The sample was determined as a defective product (NG) because the value was worse than that of the sample No. 401 containing no BaHfO₃.

On the other hand, the leakage currents of the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 475 to 490) range from 1.26×10⁻⁶ A/cm² to 8.22×10⁻⁶ A/cm². These values show significant improvements in leakage current as compared with the sample No. 401 containing no BaHfO₃. Furthermore, the saturation polarization Ps ranges from 20 to 24 μC/cm², and the ferroelectric characteristics were thus also maintained. Accordingly, the samples with 0.25≦x≦1.00 (the sample Nos. 475 to 490) were determined as non-defective products (G).

The sample Nos. 491 to 507 refer to samples in the case of varying x in the range of 0.20≦x≦1.00 with y=1.10. These samples are high in leakage current from 1.53×10⁻³ A/cm² to 8.99×10⁻³ A/cm², from which the effect of BaHfO₃ in a solid solution is not observed. Accordingly, the sample Nos. 491 to 507 were determined as defective products (NG). This is because the molar ratio between (K_(1-x), Na_(x), Ba) at the site A and (Nb_(y), Hf) at the site B significantly deviates from the stoichiometric composition.

In addition, the samples determined as non-defective products (G) are all 3% or less in tan δ, which is extremely low. Therefore, it is determined that high-quality potassium sodium niobate thin films 16 are created.

Furthermore, the piezoelectric constant d₃₃* was figured out in the same way as in the second embodiment described previously, for the samples determined as non-defective products (G) in the non-defective/defective (G/NG) determination described above (sample No. 404, sample Nos. 425 to 440, etc.). The measurement results are shown in Tables 24 and 25.

TABLE 24 Sample No. x y d₃₃* (pm/V) 425 0.25 0.90 118.2 426 0.30 0.90 113.1 427 0.35 0.90 115.6 428 0.40 0.90 120.6 429 0.45 0.90 122.4 430 0.50 0.90 123.9 431 0.55 0.90 132.1 432 0.60 0.90 108.9 433 0.65 0.90 122.9 434 0.70 0.90 124.0 435 0.75 0.90 119.8 436 0.80 0.90 140.3 437 0.85 0.90 150.2 438 0.90 0.90 147.6 439 0.95 0.90 155.3 440 1.00 0.90 158.2 442 0.25 0.95 115.2 443 0.30 0.95 116.0 444 0.35 0.95 114.3 445 0.40 0.95 115.0 446 0.45 0.95 119.3 447 0.50 0.95 116.8 404 0.55 0.95 128.7 448 0.60 0.95 117.5 449 0.65 0.95 118.6 450 0.70 0.95 120.3 451 0.75 0.95 129.5 452 0.80 0.95 141.2 453 0.85 0.95 145.5 454 0.90 0.95 150.6 455 0.95 0.95 155.9 456 1.00 0.95 158.6

TABLE 25 Sample No. x y d₃₃* (pm/V) 458 0.25 1.00 120.6 459 0.30 1.00 121.1 460 0.35 1.00 129.8 461 0.40 1.00 135.2 462 0.45 1.00 130.8 463 0.50 1.00 119.8 464 0.55 1.00 111.6 465 0.60 1.00 120.5 466 0.65 1.00 128.3 467 0.70 1.00 127.3 468 0.75 1.00 122.1 469 0.80 1.00 142.2 470 0.85 1.00 143.6 471 0.90 1.00 140.5 472 0.95 1.00 150.6 473 1.00 1.00 155.7 475 0.25 1.05 129.0 476 0.30 1.05 128.2 477 0.35 1.05 130.9 478 0.40 1.05 120.1 479 0.45 1.05 109.3 480 0.50 1.05 102.3 481 0.55 1.05 117.8 482 0.60 1.05 129.5 483 0.65 1.05 125.5 484 0.70 1.05 124.0 485 0.75 1.05 130.8 486 0.80 1.05 142.6 487 0.85 1.05 150.7 488 0.90 1.05 152.3 489 0.95 1.05 154.9 490 1.00 1.05 158.0

From Tables 24 and 25, it is determined that the piezoelectric constant d₃₃* ranges from 102.3 to 158.6 pm/V, which are rarely different from 124.0 pm/V for the sample No. 401 (containing no BaHfO₃). This is because the spontaneous polarization Ps is a large value of 10 μC/cm² or more.

In particular, it is determined that in the case of the samples in which the range of x is 0.80≦x≦1.00 (sample Nos. 436 to 440, etc.), the piezoelectric constant d₃₃* ranges from 140.3 to 158.6 pm/V, which are extremely large numerical values as compared with 124.0 pm/V of the sample No. 401 (containing no BaHfO₃).

Table 26 shows: the leakage current in an electric field of 200 kV/cm; the dielectric constant ∈ and tan δ at a frequency of 1 kHz; and the values of spontaneous polarization P_(s) and piezoelectric constant d₃₃* measured at a measuring frequency of 10 kHz and an applied electric field of 500 kV/cm in the case of 0.97 (K_(0.1)Na_(0.9))Nb_(0.95)O₃-0.03M1HfO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr) with x=0.90, y=0.95, and n=0.03 (sample Nos. 508 and 509).

TABLE 26 Leakage Current Sample (A/cm²) ε tanδ (%) P_(s) d₃₃* G/NG No. M1 @200 kV/cm @1 kHz @1 kHz (μC/cm²) (pm/V) Determination 508 Ca 2.13 × 10⁻⁶ 943 2.34 22 153.4 G 509 Sr 5.96 × 10⁻⁶ 971 2.50 22 150.4 G

From Table 26, the sample with M1=Ca (sample No. 508) is 2.13×10⁻⁶ A/cm² in leakage current, which is low. Furthermore, the spontaneous polarization P_(s) is 22 μC/cm², and the ferroelectricity was thus also maintained. Accordingly, the sample with M1=Ca (Sample No. 508) was determined as a non-defective product (G).

In addition, the sample with M1=Sr (sample No. 509) is 5.96×10⁻⁶ A/cm² in leakage current, which is also low. Furthermore, the spontaneous polarization P_(s) is 22 μC/cm², and the ferroelectricity was thus also maintained. Accordingly, the sample with M1=Sr (Sample No. 509) was determined as a non-defective product (G).

Further, these samples with M1=Ca, Sr (sample Nos. 508 and 509) respectively have piezoelectric constants d₃₃* of 153.4 pm/V and 150.4 pm/V, and have improvements in piezoelectric constant d₃₃* observed as compared with the sample containing no M1HfO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr).

In the sixth embodiment, the evaluations were made on the samples containing 2 mol of Mn with respect to 100 mol of (K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃. However, evaluation results similar to those in the sixth embodiment were achieved on samples containing 10 mol of Mn or less with respect to 100 mol of the main constituent 0.97(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-0.03M1HfO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr, Ba).

Accordingly, from the evaluation results in this sixth embodiment, it has been revealed that piezoelectric thin film elements which have excellent leakage current characteristics, ferroelectric characteristics, and piezoelectric characteristics are achieved by meeting 0.25≦x≦1.00 and 0.90≦y≦1.05 in the potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nM1HfO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr, Ba) as the piezoelectric thin film 16.

FIG. 5 shows a ferroelectric hysteresis curve for the sample No. 404. It is determined that BaHfO₃ in the potassium sodium niobate as a solid solution improves the leakage current characteristics in electric fields of 100 kV/cm or more, and exhibits the favorable ferroelectric hysteresis curve even at the maximum applied voltage of 1 MV/cm and the measuring frequency of 100 Hz.

As just described, a piezoelectric thin film element which has excellent leakage current characteristics, ferroelectric characteristics, and piezoelectric characteristics is achieved by adjusting the ranges of x, y, and n respectively to 0.25≦x≦1.00, 0.90≦y≦1.05, and 0.01≦n≦0.10 in the potassium sodium niobate thin film represented by the general formula for piezoelectric thin films: (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nM1HfO₃ (M1=Ca, Sr, Ba) in the piezoelectric thin film element according to the present invention. Furthermore, the change in electrostatic capacitance with temperature is suppressed which is problematic in the use of ferroelectric thin film elements or piezoelectric thin film elements.

It is to be noted that this invention is not to be considered limited to the embodiments described previously, and various modifications are made within the scope of the invention. Although the potassium sodium niobate thin film 16 is created by a chemical solution deposition method, for example, a sputtering method, an aerosol deposition method, a pulsed laser deposition method, or the like may be used for the creation as long as the composition of the created potassium sodium niobate thin film 16 falls within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A piezoelectric thin film element comprising: an electrode; and a piezoelectric film adjacent the electrode, wherein the piezoelectric film is a potassium sodium niobate film containing the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nBaZrO₃ as its main constituent, and x, y, and n respectively are within the ranges of: 0.25≦x≦0.75; 0.85≦y≦1.10; and 0.01≦n≦0.10.
 2. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate adjacent the electrode.
 3. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is one of a silicon substrate, a glass substrate, a quartz glass substrate, a GaAs substrate, a GaN substrate, a CaF₂ substrate, a sapphire substrate, an MgO substrate, an SrTiO₃ substrate, an LaAlO₃ substrate, and a stainless-steel substrate.
 4. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric film has a thickness of 300 nm.
 5. A piezoelectric thin film element comprising: an electrode; and a piezoelectric film adjacent the electrode, wherein the piezoelectric film is a potassium sodium niobate film containing the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x))Nb_(y)O₃-nBaSnO₃ as its main constituent, and x, y, and n respectively are within the ranges of: 0.25≦x≦0.75; 0.90≦y≦1.05; and 0.01≦n≦0.10.
 6. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 5, further comprising a substrate adjacent the electrode.
 7. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 6, wherein the substrate is one of a silicon substrate, a glass substrate, a quartz glass substrate, a GaAs substrate, a GaN substrate, a CaF₂ substrate, a sapphire substrate, an MgO substrate, an SrTiO₃ substrate, an LaAlO₃ substrate, and a stainless-steel substrate.
 8. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 5, wherein the piezoelectric film has a thickness of 300 nm.
 9. A piezoelectric thin film element comprising: an electrode; and a piezoelectric film adjacent the electrode, wherein the piezoelectric film is a potassium sodium niobate film represented, as its main constituent, by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x)) Nb_(y)O₃-nM1M2O₃ in which M1 is any one of Ca, Sr, and Ba, M2 is Zr, and x, y, and n respectively are within the ranges of: 0.25≦x≦1.00; 0.85≦y≦1.10; and 0.01≦n≦0.10.
 10. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 9, wherein x is within the range of 0.80≦x≦1.00.
 11. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 9, further comprising a substrate adjacent the electrode.
 12. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 11, wherein the substrate is one of a silicon substrate, a glass substrate, a quartz glass substrate, a GaAs substrate, a GaN substrate, a CaF₂ substrate, a sapphire substrate, an MgO substrate, an SrTiO₃ substrate, an LaAlO₃ substrate, and a stainless-steel substrate.
 13. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 9, wherein the piezoelectric film has a thickness of 300 nm.
 14. A piezoelectric thin film element comprising: an electrode; and a piezoelectric film adjacent the electrode, wherein the piezoelectric film is a potassium sodium niobate film represented, as its main constituent, by the general formula (1−n)(K_(1-x)Na_(x)) Nb_(y)O₃-nM1M2O₃ in which M1 is any one of Ca, Sr, and Ba, M2 is any one of Sn and Hf, and x, y, and n respectively are within the ranges of: 0.25≦x≦1.00; 0.90≦y≦1.05; and 0.01≦n≦0.10.
 15. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 14, wherein x is within the range of 0.80≦x≦1.00.
 16. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 14, further comprising a substrate adjacent the electrode.
 17. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 16, wherein the substrate is one of a silicon substrate, a glass substrate, a quartz glass substrate, a GaAs substrate, a GaN substrate, a CaF₂ substrate, a sapphire substrate, an MgO substrate, an SrTiO₃ substrate, an LaAlO₃ substrate, and a stainless-steel substrate.
 18. The piezoelectric thin film element according to claim 14, wherein the piezoelectric film has a thickness of 300 nm. 